almost 2013

I can't believe 2013 is just hours away!!!! It is always the time of year when we think of our resolutions and goals.  One plan for 2013 is the TLC, Create Blog Hop that will be on January 13th.  It will be a chance to meet the new design team members and see the works from the current ones as well.  Can't wait!!!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

Jim's bday

On Sunday is my step-son's 27th birthday.  He will be visiting from South Carolina so we will be able to spend the day with him.  I made him a card using an image from Cuddly Buddy and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Happy Shiny People

Cardstock:  Bazzil, Card Company, Recollections

Stamp:  Cuddly Buddy - Christine Grove DS Super Boy

Ribbon:  Offray

Buttons:  Stash

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Challenges

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 186

Jim adjusting to Wisconsin with our recent snow

New Year 2013

Paulette has this wonderful image at TLC, Create for the New Year that I used in my first card and there is a sentiment that is also from TLC, Create.  I used this weeks Mojo Sketch for both cards.  I made the second card for my Aunt Toni who is turning 70 and this came from the last club that Paulette had at TLC.  The inside of the card has a sentiment from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  TLC, Create
Cardstock:  Paper Company, Bazzil, Recollectioin
Stamp & Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct links)

Circle Punches:  EK Success
Flower:  Recollection
Ribbon:  Hobby Lobby

Challenges
Mojo Monday - Sketch 273
Paper Pretties - PWC238 New Years
Pixie Dust - Celebrations

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine - Christmas Tradition
Cardstock:  Paper Company, Core-dinations, Bazzil
Image & Sentiment:  TLC, Create - see above for direct link
Spellbinders:  Small circle, small scalloped circle, Label #11
Balloon die cuts - QuicKutz
Divine Twine
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch 273
Bearly Mine - Winter Birthdays

belated Merry Christmas

I was planning to post on Christmas....but time just got away on me.  Unfortunately, I worked on the weekend and the holiday so things have just been a little crazy around the house.  Now, my step-son Jim is visiting from South Carolina which we don't get a chance to see him often so we are taking advantage of that.  I am so thankful for my family and all my friends.  And I feel so lucky to have met so many wonderful people on-line.  Enjoy the holiday season!!!
I haven't had a chance to work on a card the past few days, but here is a picture of my terrific children Amanda and Trevor and our three Siamese cats.  Our black cat Nala is missing from the picture because she doesn't get along with the others (see doesn't get the holiday spirit).

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Snow Kisses

Tonight we are to get between 1-2 feet of snow!!!  They have already cancelled school for tomorrow and my doctor appointment since they are expecting the clinic to be closed.  Luckily, I have the day off from work since the hospital would expect that you find a way in.  I looked outside and there is several inches out there already.  My daughter is safely home from college so we are all tucked in for the night.
My first card is using this weeks Splitcoast Sketch and color scheme which is all white which was perfect for the TLC, Create Sentiment of Snow Kisses.  My second card is using the Mojo sketch and an image from the TLC Christmas Club.

Cardstock:  Recollection, Core-dinations

Embossing Folders:  Sizzix

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Die Cut:  My Favorite Things, Sizzix

Stickles

Pearl:  Recollection

Thread:  Stash

Border Punch: Martha Stewart

Challenges

Splitcoast Sketch SC416

Splitcoast Color CC406

Patterned Paper:  K & Company

Cardstock:  Recollections, Paper Company

Image:  TLC, Create

Ribbon:  Michaels

Challenges

Mojo - Sketch 272

88

I haven't been lost...I have been spending time with my husband since he has been in the hospital has taken quite a bit of time to care for at home.  He complains that I yell at him too much which is true, but he doesn't  eat and drink which I know he will end up back in the hospital for dehydration.  The other day we went to the mall to do some Christmas shopping for his kids which took us four hours since we had to use a wheelchair and take his oxygen and we didn't get a lot accomplished.  He managed to have half a burrito and one bottle of Vitamin water for the day.  The next day he had a piece of cinnamon toast and almost two bottles of vitamin water.  Today he has had one pot Tart and half a milkshake along with a few bites of dirt cake that I made for my Mother-in-law.  Then he wonders why I'm on his case?!?!???
Tomorrow my Mother-In-Law will be 88 years old.  We went to go visit her today along with my sister-in-law and her husband.  She is very independent for a woman her age.  The sentiment is a freebie from TLC, Create.  My second card is for my step-daughter who really has a thing for angels.  The image is from a club from TLC, Create and the sentiment is also from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Ain't Life Grand

Cardstock:  Core-dinations

Sentiment:  TLC, Create

Die Cut:  Cherry Lynn

Button:  Stash

Flower:  Zva

Pearl:  Recollection

Twine:  Stash

Challenges

VLVDec2012 - Week 3

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Christmas Stories
Cardstock:  Recollections, Bazzil
Stamp:  TLC, Create
Sentiment:  TLC, Create
Holly Leaves:  Making Memories
Bling:  Paper Studios
Ribbon:  Michael's
Spellbinders:  Small and Large Petite Oval

Challenges
Tuesday Morning Sketch - Sketch 176

Pixie Dust Studio - Traditional Christmas Colors

Come inside

I just love the images that are done by Sue at Grand9creations.  I have emailed her, and had wonderful conversation with her as well.  Being a retired nurse (I have to work to support my crafty habit and pay for health insurance yet) she is able to make incredible images and she is so wonderful to share them.  I used one on my first card.  Her blog is http://grands9creations.blogspot.com/  and is a wonderful place to visit.  My second card is using an image from TLC, Create.  And my final card is using a wonderful sentiment from Bugaboo.

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park

Cardstock:  Core-dinations

Stamp:  Grand9creations - Come Inside

Corner Rounder: Creative Memories

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Divine Twine

Challenges

Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch #64

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Deck the halls, vintage

Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Bazzil

Stamp:  TLC, Create - Up on the rooftop

Border punch:  Martha Stewart

Button:  Dress it Up

Divine Twine

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Challenges

Splitcoast Sketch SC414

Splitcoast Color CC404

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye

Cardstock:  Core-dinations

Stamp:  Bugaboo

Bling:  Paper Studio

Challenges

Stella Says Sketch - Sketch 125

Bugaboo - Anything Goes

Big 30

My step-daughter Danielle will be 30 in just a couple of days.  She lives in Orlando, FL and performs at Universal and in the area so we don't get a chance to see her much.  She will always be my husband's "little girl" and I know he wants to see her so I'm hoping that he will be able to travel so we can do a visit.  Over the years, we have gone to Orlando quite a bit; however, recently due to his health it hasn't been as often.
For my card, I used a sentiment from TLC, Create and added some flowers and pearls.  The fun paper was from the Sweet Shoppe.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Over the Hill
Cardstock:  Paper Company
Stamp:  TLC, Create
Flowers:  Recollection
Pearls:  Zva
Spellbinders:  Long scalloped rectangle, Edgeabilities triple scallop

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch 270

Danielle is on the left performing

Chickadees

My Aunt Toni loves chickadees so I made her this Christmas card using Meljean's chickadee couple along with a sentiment from TLC, Create.  My second card uses a Kenny K image and another TLC, Create sentiment.

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine
Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollections, Bazzil
Stamp:  Meljeans - Cozy little chickadees
Sentiment:  TLC, Create
Button:  Stash
Divine twine
Circle Punches:  EK Success
Evergreen Punches:  McGill
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Challenges
The Sweet Stop - Sketch 187

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine

Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollection

Stamp:  Mistletoe 

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Label #20, Small circle, small scalloped circle

Border punch:  Fiskars

Embossing Folder:  Sizzix

Snowflake punch:  EK Success

Flowers:  Hero Arts, Recollection

Bling:  Recollection

Challenges

Sketch Saturday - Sketch 236

Kenny K - frosty hues

Cute Card Thursday - Snowflakes  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.ca/

Late Thanksgiving

I was hoping to get another post in before Thanksgiving, but that didn't happen because my husband was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday because he spiked a fever and became dehydrated and lethargic.  He was released on Friday when they still couldn't find any source for the fever or any infection.  During that time his platelet blood count dropped and he was having some issues with bleeding.  Needless to say, he had  MANY procedures and a minor surgery during his stay.  They also, took him off most of his pain medication except his pain patch since he became lethargic and confused so he also went through the withdrawl of all the medications that he has been on for quite some time.  Luckily, he doesn't remember much of it, but now is questioning many of the bruises and wants to know what happened when family and friends make some comments to him.  When he has been in the hospital before, I have had a chance to do some coloring of images or even check the blogs on my ipad; however, this time was much more intense and I wasn't able to do so.  On Thanksgiving evening, he finally was starting to become aware of what was happening and looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry that I ruined your Thanksgiving." and started to cry.  Then I knew he was back.  I also am thankful for my family and my friends who have been a tremendous support through all of this!!!
Paulette has a kit kat wrapper on the Christmas blog from November 11th so check it out.  It makes a perfect treat.  I did my Merry Monday card using some circles and Gingerbread punches.  I used a Zig marker pen to make the face and a small button.  My second card is using an adorable Robin Christmas image from TLC, Create and this weeks Mojo sketch.  The sentiment is also from TLC, Create which is an adorable set about love.  My final card is using another TLC, Create image along with several die cuts.

Patterned Paper:  Recollection
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations
Circle Punches:  EK Success
Gingerbread:  Fiskar
Zig Marker
Button:  Dress It Up

Challenges
Merry Monday - Sketch #43  http://www.alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.ca

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Noel
Cardstock:  Card-dinations, DCWV, Recollection
Stamp:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Leaf die cut:  Spellbinder pointsietta
Bling:  Recollection
Circle:  EK Success
Spellbinder:  Small Circle

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch
Creatalicious Challenges  - Winter           http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Caroling
Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Circle Punch:  EK Success
Pinecone:  Lifestyle Crafts
Ribbon:  Offray
Button:  Dress It Up

Challenges
Sweet Stop - Sketch 186

Elves

My daughter usually comes home every other weekend, but this one she planned to stay at college.  I talked with her and decided to drive to see her for the day.  My parents are on vacation, but I was able to have dinner with my daughter as well as my brother and his family.   I will see him at Thanksgiving, but it was still nice to get together.  My nephew is two and is just so adorable.  I finally got to see my daughter's dorm room which to me is amazing that she is able to live is such a small space.  She loves having a room mate, but she is SUCH a social person that I'm not surprised.
I made this quick card using this wonderful sentiment from TLC, Create.  Paulette is going to have the Winter Club still available for a reduced fee starting on Monday.  That is where I got this sentiment along with many others and lots of Winter papers and images.  It is a great deal!!!

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Christmas Countdown

Cardstock:  Core-dinations

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Winter Club

Flowers:  Hero Arts

Star:  Making Memories

Button:  stash

Challenges

Verve - week 3

Cute Card Thursday - Starry Night  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.ca/

Paper Pretties - PWC232 Buttons 

Paradigm Revel

Well, sometimes when you are in a hurry, you just get further behind.  I was searching for the perfect colored flower to match on my Mojo card tonight when I bent over to pick up some of my stash that fell and my insulin pump fell off my waist and hit the floor and shut down because the crack that I had by the battery compartment shattered even further.  So after a few choice words, I came upstairs and pulled out my new pump which I haven't programmed or started to use since it takes a seperate blood glucose meter and I still have several hundred dollars that I have spent in strips for the old pump.  So I had to access my on-line patient chart to program my new insulin pump as well as make one phone call to the support center so hopefully this one will be good to go.  Now, tomorrow I will need to go invest in strips for the new blood glucose meter - YIKES!  Well my new pump is the Paradigm Revel doesn't that just sound cool.  Now that I vented my frustrations of the evening....for my cards.....
I made a thank you card using this weeks Mojo sketch with Echo Park paper and I found a gorgeous Prima flower to match.  My second card is using Spellbinder leaves and embossing background along with another one of Paulette's freebie Thankful sentiments which can be found at TLC, Create.  My final card has non-traditional Christmas colors using Quic Kutz stockings and a sentiment C is for Christmas from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park - For the Record II
Cardstock:  Bazzil
Stamp:  Verve
Ink:  Memento, Black Tuxedo
Ribbon:  Offray
Flower:  Prima
Border Punch:  Fiskars

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch 267
Paper Pretties - PPMC65 - Thank You
Papercraft Star - Thank You  http://papercraftstar.blogspot.com/2012/11/challenge-121-thank-you.html

Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations
Embossing Folder:  Spellbinder
Spellbinder:  Leaves
Stamp:  TLC, Create - Thankful

Challenges
Colour Q 163

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Hula Hoop
Cardstock:  Bazzil
Die Cut:  Quic Kutz
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Challenges
Merry Monday - Sketch #41  http://www.alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.ca/2012/11/merry-monday-41-trio-of-possibilities.html