Holiday Warmth/Just Because Workshop Card 3

While on Holiday, here are a pair of cards using the Holiday Warmth stamp set (Oct. stamp of the month).

Both cards use a card pattern from the Wishes "Just Because" card workshop. I love the simplicity of this sketch and stamping on the white space.

These may be my holiday card this year. I am really thinking that less is more. The adhesive clear sparkles add just the right touch of bling without adding bulk, which is a big plus when making and mailing in bulk.

I'm having a Christmas card class on 12/5 so mark your calendars!

Mermaids (Layout #43)

Mermaids will probably not be sighted in Cozumel today, but we are planning to head to the beach to do a bit of swimming and snorkeling.

These photos of my sweethearts playing at the beach were taken Spring Break 2007. They played together so sweetly, and watching them was such joy. Ah, the simple pleasures in life. Enjoy those little moments.

This layout uses the now-retired Whoops-A-Daisy papers. I borrowed my Mom's Daydream stamp set for the images (Chocolate Alphabet Small also used). White ricrac was the perfect embellishment.

I think I may have invented a new technique! See the waves on the lefthand layout (stamped under the picture)? The Ocean ink turns purple on the Watermelon cardstock, so I first stamped my image in White Daisy ink (which I also used to distress the edges of my Watermelon cardstock) and then when it dried, I stamped again with Ocean ink. This was a great way to try to keep the color "true" on the darker cardstock.

Finally, if this layout looks somewhat familiar, it's because it is based on the layout featured in the Grace Workshop on the Go (last month's workshop)!

Uxmal

Today we are docking in Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. The four of us, my brother, and sister/BIL have booked a shore excursion to visit Uxmal, a Mayan ruin that means "thrice built." We debated between here and Chichen Itza and are hoping for less crowds here. (Grammie & Grumps will be keeping the wee boys on the ship.)

Here are some pictures I found online to whet your appetite (and ours) for the trip.

I'm not sure whose idea it was to book an excursion without looking at what time it leaves! This one departs pretty early in the morning. Maybe a nap will tide us over to dinner.

Holiday Warmth Swap Cards

Since I'm sailing on the Holiday, I thought that I should probably share some more Holiday Warmth cards with you.

These gorgeous cards were all made by members of my Close To My Heart unit. I believe the Juniper square card (top left) was made by my upline, Chris Hill. Pamela Berry made the 3"x6" card at the bottom left. I love her attention to details! Taralyn made the precious 3" square card.

This lovely card by Tonya Stone uses the create-a-shade paint to give it the pearlized finish.

Carla Ramirez made the darling square card at right, Bridget Mahler made the festive card at center, and Camy Eisentrager made the card at right with the metal rimmed tag.

Holiday

No, I'm not talking about the October stamp of the month, Holiday Warmth. It's the Carnival Holiday! There is a connection to Christmas, though. We are celebrating Christmas about two months early with a Bell family cruise.

I am sooooo looking forward to spending time with my family! My parents are taking my brother, my sister and her family, and me and my family on a cruise this week. Fortunately, we have Fall Break so we're not even breaking any truancy laws. :)

If you'd like to follow along in "real time," be sure to check out my parents' blog, The Traveling Bells. I will not be posting live from the cruise, but I have scheduled some posts while we're away, so please check back.

Bon voyage!

Fall Photos/TGIF

The leaves are starting to turn here and there's a definitely chill to the air. Here are a few final photos from our trip to the corn maze that I thought were too pretty (or at least interesting) not to share.

Today is the last day of school before FALL BREAK (!!!!!) so hopefully the kids and I can control ourselves, get our work done, and get outta here!

Most days I do love my job, but this has been quite a week. TGIF! That reminds me of one of my favorite blonde jokes, but I'll have to save that one for another day. ;)

Be sure to scroll down and read my post about Mary's giveaway if you haven't already, then go give her some birthday wishes. Just be sure to tell her I sent her, okay?

TGIF!

Did I mention it's FRIDAY?!?

It's Mary's Birthday (and a Giveaway)

Today is my friend Mary's birthday, and she is having a huge giveaway on her blog. Go check it out by clicking HERE and be sure to tell her that *I* sent you (that's Haley: H-A-L-E-Y) so that we can win a prize! :)

Mary, if you stop by, know that this cupcake is for you!

Blogtoberfest/Quote of the Week

My friend Tresa, the fabulously talented Stamp Goddess, is challenging everyone to participate in "Blogtoberfest!" Now, I hope you're asking yourself, "What is Blogtoberfest?" It's a month-long celebration of sharing and teaching. The Stamp Goddess is challenging herself and others to share as often as possible throughout the month of October with tips, techniques and tutorials.

I decided that this sounded like a fun bandwagon to jump on. I am going to try to post every day, though I'm not sure I will get a tip, technique, or tutorial in each day. Are you on board? If so, leave us a comment so we can go check you out. ;)

Today's "tip" could lead to some great journaling:
Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
~Rita Mae Brown

Did you see today's special?

Available at www.longaberger.com/haleydyer!

Scroll down for today's artwork post...

Flourished Blessings Fall Cards

Judging by the comments, you like my artwork posts better than the ones without, so here are a few fall cards I made. All four are based on the card pattern provided in the Grace Workshop guide, but I used my Flourished Blessings stamp set and Magic Moments paper pack. The colors are Cocoa, Sunflower, Hollyhock, and Sweet Leaf. (The paper includes Indian Corn Blue but I didn't use that on my cards.)

Is it beginning to feel like fall in your neck of the woods? It certainly is here. We had a lovely dinner Mon. night at my parents' with two sets of out-of-town aunts and uncles in attendance. Who can ask for more than great food and great company?

My Little Pumpkins

The corn maze is part of a local produce stand, and here are some of their pumpkins on display. I wonder how much these two cost? Probably more than I can afford!

Here's another shot of our fun-filled visit. No, the girls weren't pushing each other (surprisingly); Macey fell off her perch!

It was hard to get a good picture of the decorated hay bales because of the shadows, but this was one spooky spider!

Saturday & Sunday Stuff

Believe it or not, there is more to my life than stamping/scrapbooking. I share a lot of that (the stamping/scrapbooking) here because I'm comfortable sharing it with the world. I'm a pretty private person, and don't dare to bare all here in cyberspace (or anywhere else!). I figure my kids deserve their privacy (although I will shamelessly exploit them on a scrapbook page if it's not TOO personal). Today, however, I thought I would share just a little bit about the real us.

Yesterday was our church's 25th anniversary. I've been involved for the past 23 years, so it was a big deal. We had a lovely service over which the bishop presided, followed by a scrumptions luncheon. It was wonderful to visit with friends and members past and present. Our 60-something-page commemorative booklet was a labor of love (just ask my Mom!) highlighting our history.

Since it was such a gorgeous day, we decided to take the girls to the local corn maze. It was a lot more fun that I had expected!

Today was Children's Sabbath at our church, and the girls both had big roles. Macey was a torchbearer, which she is used to doing, but she also read a lesson in front of the entire congregation. I was so proud of her, and she did a beautiful job. Ansley served as acolyte at the altar (something I remember all too well from my tween/teen years too) and also read the psalm and the Prayers of the People. Seeing them in leadership roles is exciting yet at the same time a bit frightening, because I am not read for them to grow up!

Now it's time to do laundry and other chores, like getting ready for the final class of my 2nd reading endorsement class tomorrow night. Ahh, Sundays...