Rushing The Holiday A Bit?

Steve insisted that the Christmas tree go up today. We go round and round about this every year. I always give in. He wants it up early and I like to do it later. One year when I was gone for a scrapbook weekend in early November, I came home to find that he had already gotten into the "Christmas Spirit" and had it up and decorated about two weeks after Halloween!

Of course we also had to buy new lights the other day. He has a thing about getting new ones every year. I wouldn't think he'd need to read the box, since he's only bought a million of these.
(Earth to Steve, just plug them in!)

You can't even imagine how many light sets we got rid of when we were going through our things in our house in Minnesota when we knew we were moving.

Boy, those new lights are nice!

Careful so it doesn't tip over!

It looks good already! It's not like we don't have quite a few weeks to make it perfect.

Things I Am Thankful For.....

I don't think that I always remember everything that I am thankful for during the course of my everyday life. I go through weeks where it seems nothing goes right and I feel down. When I snap out of it, it's then that I remember how truly fortunate I am compared to many. I told my husband that I need to make a list of everything that I am thankful for. So here goes...these are not in any particular order, just how random thoughts...

Things I Am Thankful For....

1) Waking up everyday.
2) Being able to get out of bed and walk (many people can't do that).
3) Being able to do everything for myself (ie, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc. as many do not have that capability).
4) My husband & kids...they have to put up with me...and it must be hard sometimes!
5) The fact that I live in the United States. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
6) My dog and cats...they love us so much and depend on both my husband and I for everything. They love us unconditionally and are very loyal and faithful. ( I do wonder about Oscar, one of the cats, however. He can be a terror when things aren't going his way).
7) Coffee...can't live without it!
8) Chocolate and all things rich.
9) No long commute. I used to commute 50 miles to work one way, now I'm not even a mile away from where I work.
10) I feel fortunate that since I haven't been able to find a full-time job since we moved that I am able to just work part-time. (Many people do not have that option).
11) The fact that I am able to do what I like....and that is work with paper crafts. I also like the fact that I can do it whenever I want.
12) I am thankful that I still have my health at the age of 52. Even though I have an auto-immune disease (RA), I'm in good shape.
13) I am so thankful that I have health care because there are so many people that don't.
14) I'm thankful that I do have a job. There are so many people that are unemployed. I also get to do something fun!
15) I'm thankful for friends and family.
16) I'm thankful that my husband gives me an unlimited budget (not by his choice) to buy scrapbook supplies.
17) I'm thankful that my husband indulges my technology fetish and has just given me a new laptop as an early Christmas present!!!!!
18) There are so many other things that I am thankful for, but can't list them all. Right now I'm thankful that I am having my new favorite drink...Decadent, before I have to cut the turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Card Positioning Systems Sketch

There's not alot I don't like about this card. It has all my favorite elements...buttons, flowers, plaid paper and it's black and red no less! I also like the kraft color mixed in. I used one of the sketches (CPS143) from Card Positioning Systems again. The challenge of making a sketch my own makes cardmaking fun.
Here's the sketch...

....here's my version

Supplies: Fiskars Ticket Punch, Bazzill in Kraft, Red, Black, Graphic 45 Typography from the Commuique Collection, Buttons, Ribbon, Sewing Machine Stitching, Raphia, Hero Arts Poinsettia Art Flowers, Flowers, Stamp (unknown).

Mojo Monday Sketch

Below is a card I designed using this sketch from the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog.


This was a fun sketch to work from.

I'm not sure of the manufacturer of the stamp. I bought these last year and all the packaging has long been tossed.

Other supplies used were: Bazzill Cardstock in Red and Cupcake, We R Memory Keepers Christmas Day and Giftwrap from the Merry & Bright Collection, Fiskars Border Embossing Punch, Ribbon, Hero Arts Poinsettia Art Flowers, Making Memories Colored Staples.

Two More

I'm on a roll. I bought this set up Hero Arts stamps not knowing exactly how I would use them. It's not my tendency to do a lot of coloring. Actually, I very rarely do at all. I used embossing powder on the angel and I like the way it turned out. I also used CPS Sketch #5. I think I am hooked on these sketches. I'm going to have to try some sketches for scrapbook layouts, maybe then I'll get some done.

Here's what the sketch looked like....

My version....

Supplies used: Bazzill, Hero Arts Stamps and Gemstones, Gold Embossing Powder, Red Ric Rac, Mementos Cottage Ivy Ink, Flower Punch, Stickles.

While at work today, I designed a card very similar to the one I posted yesterday. It uses the same Glazed Bazzill cardstock in the color Ocean. I didn't use the same stamp set and since the punches were larger than what I had used at home, I was only able to fit two snowflakes. I like the way it turned out. It's fun to use the same design, but change it up a little.

Supplies: Lasting Impressions cardstock in Powdered Sugar, Glazed Bazzill in Ocean, Bazzill in Cardinal, Dew Drop Brilliance ink in Rocket Red, Fiskars scallop circle and circle punch, Hero Arts Stamps, Art Glitter in Christmas Red, Quickie Glue Pen.

One By One

I will get my Christmas cards finished. I might have to pick up the pace a little bit, but I think I still have time.

I used a CPS Sketch again for this card. I've found I really enjoy working from a sketch when designing a card.

This is the sketch I used....

....and this is my card.

Supplies used: Bazzill in Ocean, Red & White Cardstock, Sizzix Original Circle Frames Die, Hero Arts Stamps and Gemstones, Memento Bahama Blue Ink, Sewing Machine Stitching.