More Christmas Cheer

all photos by me

Hi again!  Are you all ready for Christmas?  I truly cannot believe it's THIS Sunday!  Where has the year gone?  Life goes by soooo fast sometimes.  I've been gathering a few more presents and braving some of the parking lots in the city.  At least the snow is all melted and the weather was cooperative for lots of shopping travels.  Felt like I was in Arizona (I wish- love to my peeps in AZ)!

I wanted to share a few photos of another personal  gift exchange I did with my sweet friend Jenny from Jenny's Heart.  We became friends after doing an Easter tag exchange this year.  It's been a blessing to know her and make a new friend! 

She and I both have a lot of similiar tastes and both of us love gingerbread men as well as vintage.  So I had to do both for her.  I was able to use the K and Company chipboard for her tag and I used Melissa Frances paper for her ornament.

This gingerman ornament above is an extra that I made while I was on a roll.  I think he's awfully cute!  So much fun! 





Ornament Swap Part II

all photos this post by me

Happy weekend everyone!  We are inching closer & closer to Christmas and I just can't believe how fast time is flying by.  I'm still crafting away on my kitchen table and it's been completely enjoyable!  The other day my ornaments & goodies arrived from Tabitha and thought I'd share the pretties with you

Here's a glittery floofy pink & purple birdy!  Fun!

I love this pretty tag she put in with a bag full of lovely goodies including a pretty pink rose trim.  Thanks so much Tabitha - you totally spoiled me!

Ornament for Tabitha

                                              all photos by Angela
I wanted to share a photo of the handmade ornament that I sent to Tabitha for the recent swap I was in.   It's not a great photo but as you know the weather was on the gloomy snowy side that day!  I used beautiful Melissa Frances papers, wood, and some vintage trim.  I also aged it a bit with some distress ink as well.  I also sent her another one that I made (but no photos sorry) and the store-bought one with a Victorian Santa in all white encased in a soldered glass case.  
I'm so thrilled that she loved them all! 

I enclosed the ornaments in a box I covered with some wonderful new fabric paper by DCWV!  Love this stuff.  I knew it would be perfect for Tabitha's love for a pink Christmas.  I had the sweet cherub in my stash for several years and I thought it would be great to use with the golds in this fabric.  The lace is vintage.   I have tried finding the link for the paper online but it's nowhere to be found.  I bought the paper at Joann's if you're interested.  Only saw it in 3 color categories.  Let me know if you try it out and how you like it!

I can't wait to see what I get in the mail soon!  I will be sure to share once I receive it and also post to the linky on The Bloggerette Sorority's site, too. 

Braving the Elements - Handle with Care!

swap pkg on it's way to Tabitha!

Yes it is true - It's snowing in Nebraska!  First it was raining and now it's been snowing since about 11 AM this morning.   I knew I would have to get out to make sure to mail out my ornaments for the swap today.  I also made an appointment to get my brows waxed and shaped for a little Christmas dinner party I was invited to.  A gal's gotta look her best, right!  *Smile*
Well, it was all hunky dory in the AM and I was getting along just fine to my appointment.  They even had horse drawn carriage rides in the little mall I was at.  I sometimes wish that I had a little pocket-sized camera or a smart phone to share these lovely sights.  Because it was snowing it looked so neat!  Especially since Santa was along for the ride in the covered carriage.

As I was out longer the heavy slushy snow was getting deeper and it was hard to walk in, too!

Thankfully I was able to get the package safely in the mail, pick up a few groceries, Jimmy John's sandwich, and gas.   I was getting stuck when I had to stop at a light - panic always strikes me - I go into daddy's driver's ed mode.

"Drop it down to 2nd or 1st gear, slowwwly give it gas...."    Spin, spin.  No movement.  Ugh!  I look in the rear view at the bright yellow car practically on my bumper and I couldn't back up if I need to.  Cars on my left happily going by me.  Hey!  I have front drive this should not be happening to me. 

Turning the front wheels I was finally able to move!  Whew!

Unfortunately, I had to cancel going to my fab friend's dinner party.  No delicious caramel apple bread pudding, ginger snap crisp, or meat simmered in red wine.  Not to mention wonderfully amusing company. 

This is why I wished that I lived in Arizona at times. Lord get me through - it's the first snowstorm. 

The Kid in Me

At this very moment I am watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" on TV.  I just love this movie and it totally gets me into the Christmas spirit!  It was a favorite when I was a child!  

I actually own the soundrack with Burl Ives singing all the wonderful songs from the movie.  I also went to see "Arthur Christmas" on Saturday and loved it!  It's not even December yet but I'm already rearing to go on decorations and hand-made tags and cards.

Did you all have a blessed Thanksgiving?  I'm sorry I did not have a chance to pop in and post something.   Mine was a nice low-key holiday with my immediate family.  I went to my parents home to help prepare for the meal in the evening when my brother, a dedicated police officer, was done with work.  It's hard have him gone on a holiday, especially Christmas.   Thankfully, he is not currently working evenings so we are so blessed to have him available for dinner-time!

God is so good and I'm truly thankful for a close and loving family, sweet friends and a great job and health!  I'm also thankful for many other blessings of this season ... food on the table, transportation, heat, a home, church home, and a loving God!

As I said in my last post,  I've been doing lots of crafts and hopefully my next post will include a few hand-made items and an upcoming reveal of my swap gifts, soon to be mailed and received!  Such fun!

2011 Christmas Ornament Swap

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... on my craft table and I suppose everywhere I shop, too!  It's a little sad that we cannot get past Thanksgiving anymore and move right on into Christmas immediately after October.  Rush rush rush!  I love Christmas and cannot wait to exchange ornaments with my swap partner Tabitha - so I will admit I've been sneaking some Christmas songs on Pandora while at work this week.  You know, for inspiration (smile)... 

I have joined The Bloggerette Sorority and jumped at the chance to participate in a Christmas swap.  This kind of stuff is so rewarding and it's fun to get something pretty in the mail  during the hectic holiday season.  It's also a great way to meet a new friend!  I find myself reminiscing about the advent swap from last year and hope that Linda from Swap For All Seasons will return again to blogland after her hiatus. 

However, I also love Thanksgiving and cannot wait to enjoy that day with my family! I have so much to be thankful for!  God is so good and I thank Him everyday for all He has done. 



Cheery Little Birdy

                                                    photo by me
How's your weekend going?  I had a nice few days off & celebrated my parent's 45 wedding anniversary and my dad's birthday last night!  I am so grateful and blessed to have parents that are still in love after many years of marriage.  They both have incredibly youthful spirits and a great sense of humor which I think has served them well!  They have been an inspiration to many including my brother and I.

In case you have noticed, I've been in a very crafty mood!  I'm gearing up for the holiday season and enjoying the process of nurturing my creative side!

Recently a sweet church friend of mine has been quite down and I'm sending her this card to give her a little cheer.   The birdy is from the Heartwarming Vintage Crafty Secrets Wacky animals creative scraps (love!).  I also used paper from Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie (from a paper pack) in the background.  The gingham is from Jo Ann's Fabric Store.   Hope it brought you a smile, too!

P.S.  I should mention that the card sketch pattern came from Mojo Monday.  I think I'll be checking back for more ideas because this turned out so cute!

No Tricks Just a Treat!

I'm not a big Halloween fan but I couldn't resist making a cute card to send to my little kiddo friends this season.   Especially when I found the spider stamp in Michael's bargain bin!
Buying a few Copics sure has made me love stamping so much more these days, wouldn't you agree?   Before I used many more embellishments and less stamps.  It has been so much fun! 

Have a great 31st with the little cuties going door to door or at the mall.  Our church has a big harvest fest with lots of games and candy.  Fun for everyone!

Mini Card Monday!

photo by me

Do you have an Archiver's store in your town?  I'm like a kid in a candy store in that place!  Recently a friend from work told me about their free make and takes and I went to check it out.

This is a card I came home with after trying out the Claudine Hellmuth paints and stamps.  What I like is that I get to learn some new techniques, try out some tools I don't currently own and leave with something cute and fun!

Needless to say I now own a Martha Stewart scoring tool (thank you Michael's for putting it on sale for 50% off), Ink Essentials mat, and a Xyron adhesive and laminating kit (found dirt cheap at Tuesday Morning).   All because I was able to get my hands in and play!

I never leave empty-handed at Archiver's... believe me.  I went nuts on mini stamps of all kinds and I love their selection of papers.  I'm still trying to get them to carry Crafty Secrets.  Love that line. 

Currently I've been eyeing the Cricut tools and really do not have the extra money to buy one.  I admire many of the cards I see made with their dies and cartridges.  I don't know anyone that owns one of these machines.  I'm so confused by all of the products out there Spellbinders, Cuttlebugs, Cricuts, and Sizzix.  How many are needed?  What's the best?

photo by me

Hydrangeas

by Carl Sandburg

Dragoons, I tell you the white hydrangeas
turn rust and go soon.
Already mid September a line of brown runs
over them.
One sunset after another tracks the faces, the
petals.
Waiting, they look over the fence for what
way they go.

Wedding Weekend

I've just come down from a hectic wedding weekend and looking forward to this upcoming weekend free from any obligations.

My cousin was a beautiful bride and I was able to capture a few shots before the wedding began in between watching a little 1 yr old boy (the ring bearer).  I got to feel what it was like being a single mama.

You single moms out there rock and in my book you all are superheros!  Seriously!

all photos by me

The wedding colors were purple and light green.  Very lovely

I have been making a few more fun cards that I'll share in next week's post.  Have a great rest of your week.

Autumn Splendor

                                             All photos by me

Don't you just love a bright pop of red?  Autumn is one of my favorite seasons and after driving around town during the week I gave myself a mental note on where to come back and take some pictures.  I wanted to capture all the beautiful colors before they all disappear.

Golden yellows ....  lovely



It's so wonderful to live in state that has all of the seasons.  Autumn can be very short and winter a bit long!  Right now we are in the 80's!  Can't believe it!

We are enjoying it while we still can.  I haven't quite put the sandals away just yet!

Mini Card Monday!

Here's a little something Fallish that I whipped up to send to a friend today.  I used some pretty apple-themed EK Success stickers, ric rac, an apple green button and some paper I had around in my stash.

I don't think I'll start a linky party since I haven't heard much from anyone and I cannot find one for free at this time.

Enjoy your weekend!

Feelin Chipper

T.G.I.F everyone!  Oh it's so hard to work an entire week after having a Monday off here and a Friday off there.  I made it, though!

I'm gearing up for some Christmas crafts soon and found this cute mix of K Company (Susan Wright) holiday chipboard at Joann's.  They had some great coupons in their ads recently and I couldn't resist getting this.

Fun stuff.  I have no idea what I'll do with them yet but I am certain I'll find something!  Hoping to get in on a holiday swap but I haven't heard about any of them yet.  I'm part of the Bloggerette Sorority and there's been talk of some upcoming holiday swaps with more details coming soon.  Can't wait! Have a great weekend!

Mini Card Monday!

I have loved making mini cards so much I decided to start a blog party on Mondays called "mini card Monday"!  Won't you come and join in on the fun? 
Right now I'm enjoying making some Autumn inspired cards with owls, squirrels, and probably some pumpkins and candy corn.  The change in seasons and the cooler nights makes me feel like staying home, lighting a yummy pumpkin or cranberry candle and hunker down making stuff! 
If you'd like to join in on making mini cards and it's something you think I should make a linky for let me know!  I've never done a linky party of my own yet so show me the ropes and let me know how it works (and if it's free too!).  Just leave me a comment.  Thanks! 

"Oh so nutty" and inside it says "Nuts for you"!  Cute!  Found the stamps at Wal-mart if you're looking for some inexpensive clear stamps.  I did have a hard time with the ink not adhering very well to the stamp.  That's my only complaint about the stamps.  I was using black Ranger ink.



What's Been Up?

Yesterday I was home relaxing and watching TV - gearing down from the long holiday weekend.  I tried to get a few things done on Saturday but it ended up being procrastinated until Sunday.  What can I say?  A little peer pressure to extend a lunch with a friend.  We needed a little more chat time together and we were kicked out of a restaurant called "Chatty Squirrel"!  Ironic?  I think so! 
But in the restaurant's defense they close early after lunch and we arrived around closing time. 
Sometimes we are just too rushed here in America!  My friend from Germany would definitely concur! 

On monday my family and I had a late lunch of grilled Italian sausages with peppers, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. I brought a jalapeno hummus WW recipe and some red and yellow pepper strips.  Yum!

Here's a little show and tell from the last couple of weeks.  I bought a great new lampshade for only $15 at Tuesday Morning.   Just love that store!

                                     all photos from this post by me

A nice view from my comfy leather chair...  

Here's a lil card I made with some adorable G Series $1 stamps from Michael's.  Um ... a little addicted to these!   I'm so glad they have them at a bargain price!

I have a few more mini cards I plan on making with these and some additional stamps I've found in the bargain bins!  Wal-mart has some now, too.  Fun!

Last but not least - a beautiful card from my auntie Gloria!  She's a whiz with these pretty embellishments!  I was so blessed to receive this card in the mail recently.  Thank you, sweetie!   Love truly is in the details ... darling darling details!! 

Chocolately Delish

I just came off of a long glorious weekend and enjoyed some time with family and friends.   Went to go see "The Help" and loved it!  I think it may be one of my favorite summer movies and hope that they had out a few Oscars to the cast.
THAT'S how much I loved it!  I'm telling everyone I know to go see it. I seriously need to read the book, too.
Seems like when I became an adult I can't stay still to read a book unless it's story is super alluring.  Sometime's that bothers me but I figure I spend my time doing things that are still considered worthwhile and that's all that matters.
Lately I've been doing some card crafting after being inspired by Archiver's 40% rubber stamp blowout sale and their "make and take" weeks. 
Needless to say, I've been stamping away here and there the last couple weeks. I tend to keep my cards pretty simple when I'm trying to get them out the door and in the mail.  Do you have family and friends that are disappointed when they get a store bought card from you once you send them a hand-crafted one?  Doh!
I'll share a couple of chocolately mini cards and a cute monkey card I whipped up recently:

This one I did add a bow to before I sent it out in the mail

I have quite a few more to make and I'm also going to be trying my hand at more mixed media on canvases.  I'm determined to continue to try new techniques and just have fun with it! 
What have you been up to this summer?  Leave me a comment and let me know :)

Last Days of Summer

photo by me

"Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January."--Hal Borland

Crazy Busy Summer... continued

Hi all!  Thought I'd better stop in and tell ya what I've been up to!  First off, trying to stay COOL!  We've been stuck in a sizzling heatwave for what seems like an entire month.  I'm catching a little grief over saying that I was looking forward to Autumn.  I can't help it!  I do love that season but I also love long summer days with lots of fun that can be packed in!
Weather has been a tough one in 2011 don't you think?
So Saturday was my birthday and I spent it with my family at a cousin's wedding.
It was a great time!  I did the Electric Slide and danced the night away!  I haven't done that in so very long!
I've been able to squeeze in a little time inside working on my first altered art canvas and it's so addicting that I went out and bought a few more supplies to make some more.  Maybe for Christmas gifts this year?

Not my best work but I know I can get better with more play time.  The bicycle is a Tim Holtz stamp that I had to jazz up since stamping on canvas is hard!! 
I do like the papers that were Mod Podge'd on and will probably try that more and freehand something of my own...

The photo above is a weird yellowish sunset we had a few days ago.  It was weird but neat!
Tomorrow night I'm going to take some pictures of some grandkids for a friend.  I am a bit nervous ... I always want to do a great job and give them the best!

What else have I been up to?  Well I'm also looking into becoming a Big Sister and being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands program.  I know it'll be a rewarding relationship and can't wait to get started!

Beauty in Nature

Well it's another weekend that has flown by so quickly...  Are you all surviving the hot summer temps?  It is hotter here than last week.  Man oh man!  If we didn't have 50% humidity it could probably be more bearable.  A lot of us try not to complain too much after such a cold winter, though!  Thank the Lord for A/C!  Seriously!!

Last week when I mentioned I was making that salad for another party - I was getting ready to go to my aunt's house in the farm country in the outskirts of the city. We were celebrating my other aunt Gloria's retirement (yay Glo!).  So anyway her place is surrounded by fields of corn on one side and lovely wildflowers on the other.  The sun was low in the sky and I brought my camera to see if I could capture some shots of nature (and family, too).

                                 All photos in this post by me

I was attempting to capture a sun flare in some of my shots...

Ahhh isn't the countryside lovely?  I really wanted to capture the sunset but I was little too late.  I was gabbing with my family indoors in the cool house.  Maybe another time...

Next weekend I'll be going to an informational meeting to check into becoming a Big Sister!  I have a feeling that this will be a program I will enjoy being a part of.  A friend of mine thought so, too.  So I'm diving in and truly hope to be matched up with a sweet girl looking for a big sis just like me! 

Have a great week - thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to say hello!

Pretty Posies

Happy weekend everyone!  I'm just taking a breather to stop in and say hello and share a couple things before I'm back out the door for another celebration.
I must say that this is the busiest July that I remember in a long time.  God has truly blessed me with several celebrations to be a part of!

I have a lot of friends born in July.  I am also born the end of this month.  So I kind of feel like it's an interesting coincidence that I'm drawn to people born in the same month! I'll have to stop and take the time and count how many one of these days...

I've been a bit of a posey enthusiast lately.   They make the sweetest little gifts or just look great on a window ledge, desktop, and bedside table. 

photo by me

You saw from my last post that I had a bit of fun with red white and blue flowers, which I gave to my good friends Michele and Betsey to enjoy on the 4th.   I appreciated being able to hang out with them on the holiday.  We went to go see "Larry Crowne", which I loved!  Tom and Julia were great in it!

photo  by me

The birthday girl pin with ribbons flowing was a gift for another friend celebrating her 60th birthday.  We somehow were able to truly surprise her at her son's house today!  She jumped when we yelled surprise and sang her happy birthday.  It was such fun!  I got a little teared up.

I've always wanted a surprise birthday party...  it's such a nice gesture of love to do such a thing for a friend or family member.  To me, birthdays are worth celebrating!  Can I get a whoot woot?! 

I wish that I brought my camera to share some pics but I will say that we enjoyed yummy catered food, homemade ice cream (made in the coolest way - John Deere generator and a wood barrel container - I hope I'm explaining it properly).   We had the birthday girl release tons of balloons only AFTER we counted down from 60!  We're a funny bunch.

                                              photo by me

I better get going - off to make some more of the corn avocado salad that I cannot get enough of!   Nothing says summer like delicious sweet corn.  Delish!

I'll be using my new Oxo corn stripper, too.  Beats picking up corn kernels from all over the kitchen counter and floor.

 Have a great day!

Happy Independence Day!

Photo by me

Chop chop!

Hi what's new with all of you?  I've been a busy gal but it's all good stuff!  I have a lot of showers and weddings coming up in the next few months all the way til September! 
I took a couple days off to clean and organize my place.  I'm sick of looking at so much stuff but I'm not at the point where I can purge out the old yet.  I MUST do this as all the clutter and stuff is taking over.  I know many can relate to this dilemma.  Especially my fellow crafters and paper addicts!
Pinterest has provided a little organizational inspiration - lots of great ideas out there!  But at this time let me share what I've been "chopping" (besides coupons!) ...

Delicious pineapple mango salsa! Mmm fruity and refreshing for summer.   It's good on chips, too!

Corn avocado salad.  Ohhhhh man! So delicious I think I may never go back to regular guacamole again.  Serious!  I will say don't go as easy as I did on the jalapeno.  I can be a bit wimpy with the hot stuff sometimes but go for it since the vinegar and the bit of sugar is in it.   It was a hit with my gal pals over the weekend.   Cutting off the corn was quite an experience.  I was smiling to myself when I was taking off the husks as us Nebraskans are called "Cornhuskers". 
Both recipes can be found on Pioneer Woman's website.  Enjoy!