Season's Greetings....

I love that this hobby is such an escape, a distraction from the pressures of real life. It allows me to retreat for a bit, and not think about anything except, paper, glitter, and markers! This week I've leaned on this hobby quite a bit.......and here is one of the projects I've created. I used my Cricut cartridge called, Wild Card, to cut the scalloped card. I cut two of them, scored both pieces on the left and glue the left sides together. I inked the edges of the card, and then applied a thin layer of crystal effects. I sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds on top. I colored this Santa by Crafty Secrets, with Prisma colored pencils and mineral spirits. I added flock to his hat and beard. Season's Greetings was cut using my Winter Wonderland cartridge, then black glitter was added. I added a ribbon, button, and black glittery swirl to finish it off.

Tonight is my friend's wake.......I have been trying to keep my thoughts busy with other things. Then when I do those things, like craft, or put up my decorations for Christmas, I feel a twinge of guilt, even though my thoughts of her are right there......all the time.

Again, thank you for your kind words. It really does make a difference to know that I am not alone. My family has been supportive too and I am truly thankful for that!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving. It has been a tough, emotional week, but all of your sweet thoughts and prayers have been very uplifting to me. It truly makes me feel that I have many friends out there. I am grateful for this hobby and all of the wonderful people I have met because of it.

Here are the details of the card......paper is by Papertrey Ink, stamp by JustRite (Favorite Occasions set), and Spellbinders. The image was colored with Prisma colored pencils and mineral spirits. I stamped the image 3 times and colored parts of the cornucopia 3 times. I cut out various parts to "pop" them up. To give them added dimension, a coat of crystal lacquer was added.
I guess the image is a bit blurry, huh? But you get the idea........

Have a wonderful day with your family and friends......hold them dear. : )

Heaven Has Received an Angel......

My best friend in the whole world has passed away suddenly at the age of 38. Jennifer and I met when I was 13 years old and even when I moved away, we managed to stay friends. She stood up in my wedding, I in hers. She is Kyle's Godmother and has been there for me every step of the way. We have been through so much together. She was my rock, the person I always knew I could count on. My heart aches for the loss of this girl. She would give the shirt off her back for anyone.......She was my best friend in the whole world......I can't believe my Jen is gone...

May you fly with the angels................

Crafty Secret's Christmas Blog Hop!

This month's challenge issued by our very own Vicki Chrisman, was Christmas!!! Pretty easy since I am working frantically to get a head start on my Christmas gifts anyway. I wanted some little token gifts for my son and daughter's CCD teachers. So I bought these yummy Ghiradelli chocolate bars and prettied them up a bit. I used a Santa image and colored him in with Copics and Prismas. I flocked his hair, eyebrows, and beard. I wrapped the candy bars with pink paper punched with my Martha Stewart punch. The circles and scalloped circles were cut using Spellbinders. I added a doily too! The final touches were some jingle bells, a jewelry tag and some pointsettia leaves using my Cricut.

I also have a lil' Christmas ornament to share with you. I have a bunch of these acrylic frames from a few years ago....that have been collecting dust. So I pulled them out and decided I would make some ornaments. I used the gingerbread stamp from the Sweet Kids set. He was colored in with my Copics. I added some sparkly snowflakes dressed up with a button and floss to the outside of the frame. I added a pretty satin ribbon to the back....and that's it! A cute little ornament lickity split!

You have to check out what the other DT gals did! They just amaze me with their talent and creativity!!!! : )
. Vicki Chrisman Team Leader
· Pam Hooten
· Heidi Blankenship
· Marisa Grosson
· Michele Kovack (me!)
· Linda Duke
· Michelle Van Etten
· Melissa Phillips
· Flo from France
· Darlene Pavlick ( guest designer)

. Crafty Secrets Website

. Heartwarming Vintage Blog

Happy Birthday?

Not so sure this little guy was too happy......but it was his birthday! This is my nephew Nicholas on his first birthday. Not so sure he liked our singing.......with the finger in his ear and all! LOL! And hey, I'm only a year behind.....since he is now 2.....ok.......2 1/2! I changed the picture in Photoshop using the Vintage Action. It softens the pictures a bit and then they "match" my vintage stash! Lots of Melissa Frances stuff here.... : )

I've made myself a promise to submit my work more......so many of the cards I've been working on I can't show. (They probably won't get picked up......but If I don't try they don't even have an eensy weesy chance of getting picked up!)

I am so glad it is Friday......lot's of drama at work lately. When you work with all women....that's what you get........DRAMA! Women are so caddy and love to talk.....KWIM? When push comes to shove, we'd all be there for each other in a heartbeat, but our day to day is this constant bickering and such. I think my next job......I'm going to work with all men. Stripper maybe?? LOL!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!!

I know....I know....

.......I just said yesterday about enjoying fall and the soon to come Thanksgiving celebration......but what's to stop a girl from getting a little ahead with her Christmas card stash? LOL! I made this card with this cute set from AMUSE. Kind of a cutesy card, and of course I had to add my touches of glitter and such. Santa and Mrs. Clause were colored in with Copics and Santa's beard has been glittered up! I added mica flakes around perimeter.....kind of reminds me of a snowy window or something.

I am finally getting over my headache this morning......I think it was due to my lack of caffeine yesterday. I got my flu shot and didn't realize how sore my arm would be! I am kind of a baby that way!

Off to work.......... Have a great day!

Fall Decor....

I wanted to share a little somethin' somethin' I created using inexpensive chipboard letters I bought at Hobby Lobby. I covered them with the DP from Noel's Mill Street kit. (sold out) I love the rich fall colors in these papers. I added a various accents from the kit, added the twine and ribbon........and VOILA! A cute Fall hanging for the fireplace! Because seriously.....it is still fall! Yep....I know that Christmas music is playing, the stores have all of their Christmas stuff out already, and many people already have their tree up..........but people.....Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet! Why rush the holidays? Don't they speed along too fast as it is? For me.....I am going to enjoy this last week of "fall" before I enter "Christmas" mode! : )

Wednesday already.........I have my Wellness screening this AM. That means no food or drink because I am having blood taken.......I think I am going through serious withdrawal without my coffee this morning! : )

Have a great Wednesday! Enjoy your coffee this morning!