The Weekend Report

It has been one BUSY weekend! I won't bore you (I hope) but here are the highlights:
*I was a vendor at a holiday bazaar at a nearby town to benefit their high school marching band. Though I didn't have any sales, several people were interested in the services and products I offer. I met a lot of nice people and supported a good cause. :)

*The girls had tons of fun playing w/their cousins!

*Daddy & Ansley went to see A Christmas Carol. She said parts of it were scary, but she really liked it. She wasn't as familiar w/the story as I would have thought. Miss M and I had a lovely evening at home: bubble baths, manicure (for her), and National Treasure for the umpteenth time.

*My meeting after church went well.

*After cutting and sorting coupons, I hit the grocery store wide open- by MYSELF! (The girls were at their grandmother's for the afternoon.) No huge coupon savings this week (but I hope to order more before the week's out for some of the sales) but at least I've got plenty of food now to cook for this week.

*I played "guinea pig" for a new recipe tonight that my Mom made. It was not a keeper. Don't you just hate that?!? Oh well- win some, lose some. It was just nice being there!

Now off to read a few chapters of my textbook before tomorrow night's (2nd-to-last) class. I think that our group project is finished but will know for sure tomorrow after my partners (in crime?) have read through it. We only have one more class (in December) but a TON of work to do before the end. Wish me luck- and patience! Thanks! (And if you've hung in w/me this far, an especially big thank you to YOU!) ;)

Thanks a Bunch!

This card was made especially for the fabulously artsy Tresa as a small token of appreciation for the gorgeous Love canvas that I won. It is based on the Wishes 3"x6" Fancy File sketch.

Supplies used (all from Close To My Heart):
D1361 Thank You stamp set
Twitterpated paper pack
Sorbet and Sweet Leaf inks
Crystal Blue marker
Sorbet ribbon
Just Blooms paper flower
Dimensional Elements- Organic chipboard button
natural hemp

Thankful Thursday

A friend sent a website link to me recently, and I feel compelled to share with you, my dear readers. Just click HERE in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks for taking time to count your blessings.

Remember Those Who Served

On Monday, my school had a Veteran's Day Remembrance Celebration. The students were encouraged to invite a veteran to attend the ceremony. Here's Macey with her Grumps (my Dad- Coast Guard) on the left and her Great-Uncle Joe (Logan's uncle- Army) who now serves in the North Georgia Honor Guard. The Honor Guard showed the students how to fold the flag and what the flag and each fold means. During the ceremony, all branches of the service were recognized. When we went outside to the playground, the Honor Guard gave a gun salute (with blanks of course) and then the ceremony ended with Taps.

Please stop today and take time to remember those who have served our country. We are so thankful that they served, fought, and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy and all too often take for granted. We remember Grandad Ralph today too (at left, Korea, 1950s). We sure do miss him, but he is always in our hearts!

Which veteran do you remember today?

We also celebrate Linda's recent retirement from the Army. (That's her on the right.)

And say an extra prayer today for those who are currently serving our country at home and abroad. We are thankful for their service. We especially pray for Dr. John! Please feel free to add names of those who are currently serving here so that we can pray for them and their safety too.

Love Canvas

You may recall that I won an incredible canvas from the fabulously talented Tresa Black (blog candy from her blog). Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tresa! It arrived in a timely manner, and I have finally decided on a picture to go on it.

Tresa said that the canvas could be turned either as shown at right or how I ended up using it (at left). I just had to take off the ribbon with the metal slide and reattach it the other way. Oh so clever, right? Then I just added my picture and voila.


This beautiful canvas is now hanging in my dining room. It goes so well with the rose and cranberry accents already in there!

Here are close ups of all the gorgeous elements Tresa put on this canvas.

If you'd like to learn how to make this amazing paper rose- from none other than the Stamp Goddess herself- click HERE.

Here's my contribution. ;) (A photo of a photo isn't all that great, but you get the idea!) The girls were three years and five months old.

Thank you again, Tresa, for this beautiful work of art!

The Summer of the Mushrooms (Layout #50)

This layout is the 2nd one we made at my Twitterpated workshop. It is based on the Imagine "In the Groove" sketch.


To show off the best of my mushroom pictures, I am using the 12"x12" Photo Storage Pages between my layout to hold the rest of my pictures. I absolutely love the photo storage pages for holding lots of photos. Can you see the snail on the mushroom- the three pictures in the left column are all the same mushroom and snail. ;)

My title is based loosely on the book title, The Summer of the Monkeys. I used my Chocolate Large and Small Alphabet stamps (Sorbet and Chocolate inks). The mushrooms come from the Whooo Loves You stamp set.

I embellished my pages with Chocolate brads and ribbon, natural hemp, and Dimensional Elements- Organic (the chipboard buttons).

Here is the right page, along with close ups of the journaling (if you're still w/me!).

More Around the Block Cards

How did you like the Around the Block blog hop? Here are a few more great cards made by members of my Close To My Heart unit.



Top row: Can you see how Camy stamped on the twill ribbon on her "We've Moved" card?
I love the "peek-a-boo" house image on Chris's "welcome" card.
You've already seen my circle card.




Middle row: The windows on Pamala's "we've moved" card are precious!
Tonya's attention to detail is incredible: liquid glass on the windows, pop-dotted windox boxes, siding stripes, scalloped roof line...





Bottom row: Bridget's paper pieced houes is absolutely darling!
Carla was so creative with her tiny house and gold brad door knob.
Taralyn's 3"x3" card is so sweet!


If you live nearby, I'd love to show you these cards in person. You'll love all the tiny details and great ideas.


Thanks, ladies, for a great swap! I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group.