warm wishes

I got crafty this weekend, and made a couple cards after cleaning the area a bit. This one's inspired by clean & simple's 11/18 FTL117 sketch and Moxie World's 11/23 Tuesday Trigger Snowing Gingerbread challenges. I love Kraft Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla together and kept this CAS. I tried stamping first in a Color Box ink, then with SU white kraft ink. Today I went back and used my stamp-a-ma-jig to re-ink and then emboss with a detail white embossing powder, as the sentiment paled in comparison to the snowflake images. I've reposted the re-do pic! Here's the inspiration picture that inspired the card:


stamps: CHF's Joyeux Noel; paper: SU's Kraft Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla card stocks; ink: SU's Whisper White; tools: Cuttlebug w MFT's Let it Snowflake die-namics, ek success' dotted scallop border punch

welcome baby Lillian!

My boss called upon me to make another baby hankie card for her. We partner in crime occasionally, and she makes these STINKIN' CUTE baby bonnets from fancy hankies to accompany a poem that I then insert into the card that I make for the happy occasion. I'd picked up this used SU stamp set thinking I'd use it the next time my services were requested.

You can't tell from the picture as I used a pastel to ink the baby buggy, but it repeats the word "baby" thruout, and Rusty Pickle's "baby" definition is the background on the base of the card. The poem's printed in a soft brown on vellum card stock, and mounted with brads onto a Blush Blossom card stock for the inside sentiment. See below the deets for the poem, as I realize I've never posted it!

stamps: Rusty Pickle's Girl Definition Stamp, SU's Full of Life (another used find), Oh, My Word; paper: SU's Candy Lane DP, SU's Blush Blossom and Staples' white card stocks; ink: VersaMark, SU's Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa; tools: Cuttlebug w Spellbinders' Labels 8 Nestie die, Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts' taffy brads


The baby hankie bonnet poem follows (sweet, eh?!):

I'm just a little hankie, as square as square can be,
But with a stitch or two someone made a bonnet out of me.
To be worn home from the hospital or on the christening day,
Then carefully pressed and neatly tucked away.

Then on the wedding day, so we have all been told,
Every well-dressed bride must have something that is old.
And what would be more fitting than to find little old me,
A few stitches snipped and a wedding hankie I'll be.

And if per chance it is a boy, and someday he will wed,
To his bride he can present the hankie once worn on his head.

movie weekend

With the extended weekend upon us, the Blondins (at least two of us!) took in Tangled, Disney's 50th full-length animated feature film! Loosely based on the German fairy tale, Rapunzul is still being raised by Dame Gothel, but now borne of royalty rather than rescued by a prince, and discovered by a good-natured thief on the lam. The Disney folkes have another winner on their hands, IMHO, with this one! It's got lots of action, a spunky heroine, loveable thief (think Aladdin combined with Robin Hood and Mel Gibson), magic, and the best parts of the original fairy tale. And did I mention that it's showing in either a Disney Digital 3D or IMAX 3D versions? We saw the Disney 3D version. It was subtle, for the most part, but I think made the film even better. I'm giving it 4-1/2 of 5 stars!

trivia alert: How many of Disney's animated films can you recall? New Orleans' Examiner.com recounts them here!

spoiler alert: Word on the Internet is that Tangled will be Disney's last animated fairy tale - at least for the near term. Production was reportedly stopped on The Snow Queen and Jack and the Beanstalk. From Pixar's Ed Catmull:
"Films and genres do run a course. They may come back later because someone has a fresh take on it … but we don’t have any other musicals or fairy tales lined up."

RAK from Pat

OK, maybe not SO random!

I received this SWEET Thanksgiving card in the mail today from my stampin' buddy Pat. Pretty card, Pat - thanx (and yeah, I recognized the repurposed "fan leaves" from that class we took at the Novi Expo a couple years back! They're SO pretty! NOT that I'm prejudiced toward leaves or anything ...)!

I'm wondering how you and Lindsey did at the stores today?! Happy Black Friday to you both!

Martha Stewart ... NOT!

I spotted this today while blog trolling and it made me smile, so I thought I’d share with you...

To All Our Family & Friends:

Just a note to let you know we are hoping to see you Thanksgiving Day. But… Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I’m telling you in advance, so don’t act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes:

Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I’ve gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.

The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it is a turkey.

We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I’m sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.

As accompaniment to the children’s recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don’t own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We’ve also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.

Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress “private” meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that “passing the rolls” is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your sister in the head with warm tasty bread.

Oh, and one reminder for the adults: For the duration of the meal, and especially while in the presence of young diners, we will refer to the giblet gravy by its lesser-known name: Cheese Sauce. If a young diner questions you regarding the origins or type of Cheese Sauce, plead ignorance. Cheese Sauce stains.

Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice; take it or leave it.

I hope you aren’t too disappointed that Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. She probably won’t come next year either.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

happy Thanksgiving!

Hi folkes! Happy Thanksgiving! No card today ... just a greeting. I'm making a new recipe (for me) today as my contribution toward the Thanksgiving feast at my sister's home - Potato Supreme - compliments of my boss. I was online yesterday looking up the recipe and found a few variations (one as a mashed potato crust filled w brocolli and cheese - YUM!), but my boss happened by the printer during my printouts and offered me her version. We picked up the ingredients that I didn't have on hand at home already yesterday, so I'm ready to get cookin' soon; I figure I should have it ready to go into the oven in an hour or so. That left plenty of time to take a pic of my kitchen table, decorated for Thanksgiving in case we hosted here. It's skillfully edited to cut out the jackets tossed on the backs of the chairs. Good job, eh?!

So, wherever you happen to be today (with family and/or friends, or thinking of them across the miles (Hi Jack and Mary!)), I hope you're recalling your own reasons to be thankful today!

T’was the night of Thanksgiving

T’was the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned – the dark meat and white
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack caused me elation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself so plump and so round,
‘Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all – pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ‘n gravy have nary a lump,
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

happy bird day, Pat!

We treated one of my BFFs, Pat, to lunch today to celebrate her birthday. My lunch buddies have a long-standing tradition of the birthday person getting to select the restaurant on their birthday and today we dined at David's Pizza on Corunna Road in Flint town. He's a clown (literally - he clowns on the side) and recited a pretty darn cool poem to her as we sat down to lunch!

It's all about pinks for my gal Pat, so I selected some pink DP for gift boxes and punched 'em out using a 1-1/4" square punch, then added bows on top, and popped 'em up using pop dots. The sentiment's close to another of my fav ways to sign birthday cards. I generally sign by drawing pics of a hippo, bird, and two sheep - all lined up in a row. "Hippo Birdie Two Ewe" - get it?! Enjoy your day, Pat!

stamps: SU's Picture This, Heard from the Heart (inside sentiment); paper: My Mind's Eye Sundress Heirloom; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: unknown pink ribbon; tools: ek success' 1-1/4" square punch

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
Peace on Earth and good will toward men

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
The boys open their stockings first, then head to the tree!

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
A month off work with a very kind professional organizer with all expenses paid to work on organizing me, including a scrap area

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
Turning off the lamps and just enjoying the Christmas tree lights ... oh, wait, there's the electricity ... sigh ...

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
Lots of board games, but I still love Parcheesi most

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Watching Miracle on 34th Street (big shocker to my family, I know ... grins)

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
Christmas away from home?! You jest! OK, maybe by heading to my sister's home?

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Call of Duty - Black Ops for Xbox, Super Mario All-Stars for Nintendo Wii, Sonic Colors for Nintendo Wii

To enter, head on over to Today's Mama's "wish list" post - at http://todaysmama.com/2010/11/mamas-holiday-wish-list-2010/

mistletoe branch

MAYBE I should have found one of my evergreen branch stamps to hang an ornament on, but I was in a crafty mood and this stamp set was handy, OK?! I've no idea how mistletoe even grows, as I've only seen clusters hanging from ceilings and doorways! I picked up an inexpensive MME stamp set when I stopped for this weekend's make-'n-take at CAM - mainly a silhouette set - as it had a really cute cardinal and deer and wreath and mistletoe branch and tree and snowflake or poinsettia. Eight stamps in all, for less than $6 - a pretty good deal. There was probably matching DP to the set (but I'm happy with this) as there were for the last couple MME stamp sets I'd picked up there recently. As I've spent way more than my usual allotment this past month, thanx to that scrapping show in Birch Run a couple weekends ago, I was trying to control myself. The DP in the background on this card is some from a Karen Foster DP pkg from that Birch Run trip. It's a bit lighter IRL, but the pic is taken under fluorescent lamp and not daylight conditions.

stamps: Cornish Herigate Farms' Joyeux Noel, My Mind's Eye's i believe, savvy stamps' winter set; paper: Karen Foster's Vintage Christmas scrapbook kit and My Mind's Eye The Merry Days of Christmas DPs, Paper Reflections' black and SU's Crumb Cake card stocks; ink: CTMH's Cranberry, SU's Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, and Old Olive and Tri-C watercolor markers; Forever in Time's gold glitter gel pen (on orn - hard to see in pic tho'), Ranger's black soot distress ink and StazOn's jet black; tools: Cuttlebug and Die-namic's Faux Crochet Border, Marvy Uchida's corner rounder

a matched set

Today's make -'n- take is brought to you by the lovely and talented JillD at Capture-a-Memory. I got there just before 2 p.m. and figured I'd probably missed out on today's make-'n-take, but they'd extended the hours and I still had an hour to make today's project! I'd stopped in to make this month's set of 5 Christmas cards with Maria. I'd stopped by last weekend and loved the sampling she had but couldn't commit to their Monday evening class time this week.

When Micki told me we were making a sour cream container today I pictured us altering a tub ... but I'd forgotten that's what these candy-holders (in this case, swirled red and white peppermint hard candies) are called! I didn't distress any DP in the making of today's card as I really liked the clean crisp-looking white against green and dark red. These are my preferred Christmas colors (or darker greens like avocado); I'm not crazy about the bright red and green color combo.

No deets today - all materials were supplied by CAM. I SHOULD have picked up some of this DP though! Sweet, eh?!

at the movies

Have you seen it yet? I don't know which of us is the bigger fan - my eldest son or me! I flexed some of my time this work week so that I could leave work early to take in the latest HP movie with Geoff. I even did something I'd never done before; when I originally checked the movie times playing at our local theater via movietickets.com and saw that the 7 p.m. show wasn't link-enabled so that you could purchase tickets online, I assumed that meant that the show was already sold out. Worried that we'd be shut out on opening day, I purchased advance tickets online! Sigh ... wasn't necessary at the 2:15 p.m. show. I should've saved my cash.

There are always things left out or altered that I take creative difference to from the film makers, and the latest film is no exception. I think they ended the first half at a perfect spot. I won't give away any spoilers here; suffice to say Geoff and I agree it was SO GOOD and we can't wait for HP7 Pt2 next summer! So, go see it! I want to again and hopefully in 3D next time!

a random act of culture

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and over 650 area choristers from 28 area choirs met at Macy's Center City Philadelphia and participated in a FlashMob singing Handel's Messiah at high noon. Turn on your speakers and enjoy!

welcome Christmas

It was a hard decision, but I think this is my fav card of Angie's November Stamp Camp. If you're in the Flint/Lapeer MI areas and looking for a Stampin' Up! rep, I highly recommend you check out this gal's SU site. She's awesome! Angie kits the cards ahead of time, and does an awesome job in preparation and picking the projects for our monthly Stamp Camps! She also holds a scrapbook page class monthly, and has started a knock-your-socks-off shadow box series. If you decide to join us, tell her Sue sent ya (and that she should give me a finders' fee in additional product)!

Angie had all the pieces cut and the bottom third of the Very Vanilla panel embossed for us in advance. We used a brayer to ink up the embossed panel of the Very Vanilla card stock, then punched the top portion and added the ribbon. Next we stamped the sentiment and matted that piece, then adhered it to the Very Vanilla panel. Voila! It may have been the simplest card we made Monday evening, but it's soooo elegant, don't you agree?! They were all t'riffic. Kudos, Angie! Can you feel the love, girl?!

All SU product - stamps: Heard from the Heart; paper: (methinks) Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla; ink: (methinks) Poppy Parade; tools: brayer, eyelet border punch, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder

let it snow!

Personally, the snow can hold off 'til Thanksgiving ... or even later, IMHO! I love the change of seasons but sometimes think winter's a tad too long here in Michigan! I'd like it if all the seasons were equal in duration, and we could have winter weather limited to December thru February! I remember one Thanksgiving in particular, when we had the family to our house (my brother usually hosts Easter, and my sister and I trade off Thanksgiving and Christmas hosting), when our house backed up to woods (we've another street that's since been developed behind us), and it started gently snowing. My sister thought it was picture-perfect! It IS pretty, and I love the quiet it provides when the snow insulates the ground.

Today's sentiment is from a new embossing panel I purchased while supporting the local and not-so-local economy at the Great Scrapbook Events Scrapping & Stamping Show in Birch Run this past Friday. There are 6 sentiments in all, combined together, but one can cut them out carefully to use separately as well. I matted it on some PTI night sky shimmer card stock and popped it up from another matted panel of snowflakes that I had on hand. The snowflake set is from a Sizzix die I picked up on sale at Jo-Ann's recently. I have a couple Martha Stewart snowflake punches but they're the same size, and I like the layered look they provide - though it may be a bit hard to see them here, what with all the white-on-white I used on this card. Methinks I'm snow blinded by it!

paper: PTI's night sky shimmer, Staples' white card stocks; tools: unknown circle and McGill button-hole punches, and Cuttlebug w Crafts-Too's Christmas Greetings, Cuttlebug's Snowflakes, and Sizzix Sizzlit's Snowflakes #15 embossing folders, and a bit of atyou's Spica pen on the snowflake punches that doesn't show up much on the photo

O' Christmas Tree, take 2

My DH prefers yesterday's version, but I wanted to make another tree card using ribbon tape in a version that was matted ... so here's a similar card. I love the ivory and dark gray together; don't you?! Tell me, which do YOU like best - today's or yesterday's card? I'll use a random number generator to select a comment that notes a preference a week from today to win a stamp set.

I worked at Discover Kettering today (insert shameless plug for my workplace here), where we hosted about 250 families. Here's a "shout out" to our ECE department, which had 8 of their current 15 instructional labs open for the AB tour! Of 20 labs open for the tour, they had a heckuva representation! If you're interested in Kettering University and would like to visit, I highly recommend these Discover programs. You get to take in tours of many of our labs, residence hall and recreation center, speak with current students, and attend a few information sessions that cover our programs, co-op education, financial aid, etc. Today's program coincided with an auto show sponsored by our Firebird's Car Club. The next Discover is scheduled May 21st - stop by (RSVP)! I'll most likely be at the posted at the start of the Academic Building self-guided tour!)

After work I came home to relax and play with my card stash. We watched The Pelican Brief (I love this movie) while I made today's card, and we just finished a quick Saturday evening meal of pulled pork sandwiches and fruit. DH had control of the remote, so we were switching between Golf Central, a football game, and the movie. My eldest has stayed home from school the last couple days - seems to have the same but less severe version of the bronchitus I've had - but thankfully seems to be doing MUCH better today - YAY! So, all's good in my little corner of the world! Thanx for stopping by!

stamps: savvy stamps' winter set, Verve's starlight starbright remixed; paper: SU's Dark Gray, Very Vanilla; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: daisyd's rub-on tape, Tim Holtz's tissue tape

O' Christmas Tree

Tim's done it again, this time by producing these beautiful tissue tapes for me! I spotted them today while at the Great Scrapbook Events Scrapping & Stamping Show in Birch Run MI. My stamping buddy Kim and I took the day off work to avoid the weekend crowds, and ran into other stamping buddies while there! It was nice to see Ardie, Regina, Marilyn, and Mary (hi ladies!) there.

I paired the tapes up with some thinner rub-on tapes I had at home from daisyd's but methinks I'll make another version and next time do a triple mat of the tree ... maybe without the trunk. And this one seems a little too wide perhaps?! I still like it, so there's another Christmas card done!

stamps: Verve's Starlight Starbright Remixed; paper: SU's Basic Gray; ink: SU's Whisper White, Sharpie black; accessories: daisyd's rub-on tape, Tim Holtz's tissue tape

warm holiday wishes

One of the used stamp sets I picked up at last year's "New To You" sidewalk sales, held annually at Capture-A-Memory, included this sweet sentiment, some snowflakes, penguins, and a bk stamp. Sweet, eh?! It maybe set me back $2-3! I love this sentiment and the font. I generally like the upright rounded fonts - nothing too curly-q or fancy for me! This card's based on a "better late than never" sketch challenge (hey, give me a break! I've been sick!) from the kind folkes at Limelight Papercrafts - LLPC059 and is to use fall or Halloween colors. The snowflakes and squares are popped up using dimensionals. So tell me, are white and crumb cake considered "fall-ish?!" grins ... thanx for stopping by!

stamps: savvy stamps' winter; paper: Staples white and SU's Crumb Cake card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; tools: MS' arctic and alpine snowflake punches, ek success' 1-1/4" square punch

in honor of my Dad

My Dad used the phrase "peace" when ending phone conversations often, especially during the Christmas holidays, and I picked this stamp up years ago specifically thinking of him. He passed away 6 years ago this week, but this would've been the card intended for him. I stamped off the vintage script stamp with Mellow Moss, then inked up the other stamp using PTI's Ripe Avocado ink pad before adding SU's Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa, and CTMH's Cranberry markers. Then a quick "huff" on the stamp and voila! I roughed up the edges just slightly and popped up the main stamped image on the card, then added the script sentiment on the card base using Ranger's black soot distress ink. A CAS card but me likey!

Would you believe this is my first card of November? I've been sick all week and haven't done much but sit and chill ... literally! I'm on the road to recovery tho' - no temp since this Friday and my energy level's returning ... YAY!

stamps: Inkadinkado's script bk, Stampendous' Ponderosa Pine, Gina K's peace; paper: PTI's Ripe Avocado and Staples' white card stocks; ink: CTMH's Cranberry, PTI's Ripe Avocado, Ranger's black soot distress ink, and SU's Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, and Mellow Moss

First Frost Arts & Fine Crafts Fest

I HATE being sick! I'm home recovering from bronchitis, but if I WEREN'T, this is where I'd be!

November 6 & 7 (Sat 10a- 5p, Sun 11a-4p)
cost: General Admission $5, Seniors 62 & above $4, Children 12 & under FREE

Snipped from a pamphlet on the festival: "Featuring over 40 hand-selected artists displaying fine giftable items created from fiber, wood, clay, glass, and mixed media, this special arts festival at the Flint Institute of Arts is sure to appeal to the discriminating holiday shopper! Celebrate the start of the holiday season with themed holiday foliage at the Festival of Trees & Wreaths and and Silent Auction."

Should you be lucky enough to be able to go, have fun!

pretty bird?

I guess beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder!

I'll even begrudgingly agree that most woodpeckers ARE pretty birds, but I'm at war with this one. You see, it likes my house. Years ago, when house-shopping, one interesting item I'd noted about my current house when checking real estate listings, was that all three categories on the real estate listing for exterior were checked: brick, wood, and siding. Well, it's mainly dark brown siding, but the street side is partial brick and wood paneling that's stained close in color to the siding. It's unique in the neighborhood. Problem is, it's regularly visited by as assortment of woodpeckers; this one's been the most stubborn to date! It's a Downy Woodpecker; they're about the size of a sparrow which makes them America's smallest woodpecker. Maybe I'm going about this war the wrong way, though. Instead of shooing them away when I hear the rat-a-tat, maybe I'll see what they like to eat and try to start leaving that out so they'll leave my poor house alone!

Dona Nobis Pacem

I took the lyrics from Give Peace A Chance and created a Wordle from it, in celebration of today's BlogBlast for Peace!

Try Wordle - you'll like it!

p.s. Dona Nobis Pacem? it's Latin for "Grant Us Peace"

on resolutions ...

Do you make New Years' resolutions? Do you keep them? Well, I was just sighing and my DH looked up and asked what was up. I explained that I'd just this past Sunday posted that I now have enough Halloween stock so that I never need to purchase more, and then, WHAT does Jessica Sprague do but post some $1 specials this morning that included some of the DP that I'd purchased earlier this year while supporting the local economy at Capture-A-Memory. Sigh ... at 89¢/page as it was double-sided ... and here Jessica offers a whole collection of 18 DPs for $1. There's also a coordinating collection of bingo cards, brads, 19-pc set of tags, and 9-pc stamp set to boot!


Well, he agreed I couldn't pass up a deal like that! You agree, right?!