A leeeetle mouse....

I found this stamp on sale in the Christmas section at my lss. It's by the Artful Stamper. I thought it was cute and didn't think it had to be used as Christmas. My dh was iffy about it. What do you think? Is it general or Christmas?

I cannot figure out why I pick out mice when the thought of them in my garage just creeps me out! We caught another one last week.

Once again I used my rectangle nesties. I cannot wait until my labels come in. I used SU cs in Pretty in Pink, Pacific Point and Tempting Turquoise. The gray is Bazzill. I used my limited supply of Copics and you can see why I don't stock up. I just haven't gotten the hang of it. The sentiment stamp is a clear set I got at Mike's for a buck! It's a cute set and it's probably like a 4x8 sheet. I forget who makes it.

And those little tiny flowers...ugh, they are so hard to get off your fingers because they have static. They came with a scrapbook kit I bought and they're by Doodlebug. I have to get more of those little tiny brads by Queen & Co. Nothing else fits.

Finally, I dotted the ribbon with Waterfall Stickles.

p.s. It's snowing like crazy out there!!!

Bella-ed out.....

I decided to make another card or two so that I could decide what to send to my friend. It's not like I don't have a huge box full, but she's a stamper and I want it to be good.

I pulled out a Bella stamp and SU Bella paper and went to work. She loves brown which is why I made the dress brown and her hair blonde. Then I did a pink dress with brown hair, just to have. I had so much fun with the Shimmerz on the brown dress that I decided to make a cupcake card. Love the little "hey cupcake" stamp from Amuse. I used my only set of Nesties again. Can't wait for Labels #1 to come in.

p.s. Don't mind my ink spotted desk beneath the cards! LOL I hope you can see the Shimmerz.

Fairy-ish.....

I made this card with a Lizzie Anne stamp that my good online friend bought me. Have I said many times how lucky I am to have a bunch of fantastic online friends?!!

Anyway, my friend is turning 51. She does like fairies and she loves green and purple together so that's how I came up with it.

When I was finished, I thought maybe it was too little girlish with the color scheme. What do you think? I may have to make another today because it has to go in tomorrow's mail to Maine.

Now be honest. I'm asking so please tell me what you really think about the age/color thing.

I used all SU papers (Pale Plum, Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink dp). The ribbon is SU certainly celery and I used my lg. rectangle Nesties.

Ooops, forgot to mention my Shimmerz! I used pink (crown & star and part of dress), celery, angel wings (legs, arms, face). I colored in most of the image and then shimmered over it with the exception of the legs/arms/face and crown. If you double click, you'll see the Shimmerz effect.

Christmas...

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Mine was nice. My son and his fiance came in the a.m. and we had a nice breakfast - a delicious breakfast casserole, home fries, cinnamon rolls & eggnog.

Then we all opened gifts and just as we were about to finish the power went out. My mom's chicken wings were in the oven and half cooked. Crazy. So we quickly packed up and went to my aunt's and finished cooking her wings and my spinach squares.

I had fun seeing all of my aunts/uncles and cousins. We came home pretty early and zonked.

I just have to share a photo or two of cute little Reese, my son's dog. She looks like a reindeer but the headband made it even better.









This is the jacket I bought her for Christmas.















p.s. Santa was good to me. I got a Cuttlebug and some Shimmerz in my stocking. I got a lot more than that but those were the crafty items. Oh and Mrs. Clause ordered me a set of Label #1 Nesties that have not arrived yet. Hope he was good to you too!

Wow, some amazing blog candy....

Check out the link above to see an amazing mini album and post a comment to win some amazing Cosmo Cricket products! I hope one of us wins.

An update for those who follow...

I just wanted to say that pj man has had the bright yellow on two days in a row. I haven't seen him in a while.

Merry Christmas my blogger friends!!!!

A White Christmas...

Well, I guess it'll be a white Christmas. I don't think this snow is going anywhere fast. I think we got another 10-12 inches but dh hasn't measured it yet. It's just slowing down now so he went out to clear the driveway. This photo looks weird but it's taken from the garage with the spotlight on dh's car.

Check out the whiskey barrel in the front yard. I never got to take the photo of it covered because it was dark by then.



























Well, back to work tomorrow. It's only for two full days and one early release. Then I'm off until after the new year! I can't wait to have nothing better to do than play with my stamp & scrap stuff!!!!!!!!!!

I won, I won!!!

I won some blog candy again from the talented ladies at Candy Sweet Paper Treats. I truly am on a winning streak!

The other day I had an email from someone I used to work with. She sadly moved away a year ago but still works online for us. Anyway, she emailed to ask if I would use a g.c. to my lss. Oh Yeah!!! So I got it in the mail yesterday and it was $50! I am so excited! I can't wait to go shopping.

Yes, I had a great week!

The pending storm.....

Well, we are supposed to get about a foot of snow today starting around noon. Some schools were closed in anticipation of the storm. I only have to work until 11:30. That will hopefully give me a little more catch up time.

I'm not sure when I'll be posting again. I'm really running as fast as I can! :-)

More photos...

I wish I knew how to do a slide show. It was pretty and pretty ugly in some spots. I'm hoping we don't lose power again. Someone who works here lives about a mile away and she lost it again this a.m. I'm nervous.









The woodshed and trailer in the back....










The front of the house...look at those poor shrubs!

The ugly truth....

This is looking down my street. It was blocked for days. Luckily I live on a circle. My neighbor was so lucky her car didn't get crushed!



















My back yard...

Powered up....

What a day yesterday! I was swamped at work, so fuzzy from lack of sleep, quickly drove home from work and proceeded to spill a container of half and half on my car seat. NOT a good day.

Then I checked the mailbox. I had a package from a wonderful online friend (won't mention names just in case) who really made my day. I got two containers of Shimmerz in gorgeous colors that I had on my list!! I also got a beautiful homemade card and a bunch of Cuttlebug backgrounds. The best part was the sweet note she wrote inside the card. I am so grateful to have her as a friend, even if it's just online. I wish we didn't live on different sides of the country.

We went to my aunt's for dinner last night, went home to the dark, cold house. My hubby lit a fire to try and warm up the house. It was about 60 degrees out yesterday and inside my house was in the upper 40's. We just could not get that damp coldness out.

We ended up letting the fire go out around midnight. We slept on the recliner couch again. I was really getting cold and uncomfortable around 3:30 - 4, wrapped myself tighter in blankets and fell back to sleep. The power bleeped at 4:30 a.m. We were so psyched! We got up and started shutting off faucets, showers, etc. There was ugly brown water coming out at first so the toilets are stained and some of the sinks & 1 shower are kind of gross. I made sure my shower was all cleared up. What a relief it was to get into my own shower and take my time. I nearly jumped out the window when I stepped on the tiles though. They are still so cold!!

We are expecting a wintery mix for today and snow for tomorrow. I am seriously hoping we don't lose it again. There are so many limbss just hanging off trees that are way to high up to get down.

I am so far behind on Christmas. I've lost four days. I think I'll have to give up on the baking and maybe some Christmas cards. I got our families out yesterday. I really need to get out and shop and wrap everything up.

Thanks for all your good thoughts for our power! (and for putting up with boring text-heavy posts!!)

Ice storm...

Just to update you, I haven't been ignoring anyone. We had an ice storm and we've been without power since Fri. at 2:30 a.m.

I fell back to sleep thinking it would be back on later. Woke up at my usual 6 a.m. and wondered how I'd get to work without a shower. I called the emergency # and found the univ. was closed. Then I got the text saying it was closed.. Yay, a snow, well ice, day!!! When I realized we weren't getting power back it was NOT fun.

We bundled up and basically sat around waiting for it. I did address my Christmas cards by sunlight. YAY! Then it got dark in the afternoon. It was so hard to sit and not be able to read or anything.

I will also tell you that we only had a few flushes before the water was completely gone. We have an electric water pump (well water). Yuck.

So we stuck it out by the fire in the family room the first night. My hubby and I slept on the recliner couch and my son froze upstairs. We didn't keep the fire going all night so it wasn't warm in the family room anyway.

Ditto on the next day/night. We were so stiff and cold, I finally caved and called a few hotels. I finally got one nearby that had just gotten their power back so they had openings. We stayed last night.

I'm so fuzzy right now and discombobulated. I have piles of dirty clothes and a messy house. It's such a mess. I know I shouldn't complain. Some people have babies and elderly folks to take care of. My mom went to her sister's so I was happy she had a warm couch to sleep on.

The ironic part is we have a brand new generator which we purchased a year ago. Of course we've never needed it. So my dh cranked it up and the heat started, lights were on in the kitchen. I quickly got a pot of coffee going and half way through everything went out. I'll save all the details but it was confirmed by an electrician that we have a faulty generator. Gotta run and catch up on over 200 emails.

Christmas tree....

Well....we have had some problems with our lights. The tree was up and perfect (well, in our eyes). The next night I plugged the lights in and the top set would not light.

My hubby got the light tester out and checked each and every one. They all seemed fine. So.....we will have to gently take off that set and replace it. In the meantime, it's been pretty dark.

I took photos before the ornaments and they looked beautiful in my camera screen. They are not so beautiful but at least you get the idea.

Which Reindeer are you?

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Blog Candy....

Check out the link above for some great Magnolia stamp blog candy!! I couldn't read most of the blog but I was able to post a comment! LOL

Short update....

The weekend wasn't a complete wash out. We bought & decorated the tree (spent way more than we normally do but we supported a local greenhouse), decorated the house, and I finished up some cards and made 10 more.

I don't have photos here to post but I'll try to post another old one or two tomorrow.

p.s. PJ man color for the day - Bright Christmas Red.

A few more photos...

I found the red velvet Christmas photo! I had to take a photo of the scrapbook page so excuse the quality.












and here's one of the boys and me waiting for Santa. He used to come by in the fire truck when we lived in PA. He'd drive through the neighborhood throwing out candy to the kids. It was so cold. Love the groovy jacket I had on?! LOL This was in the early to mid 90's.

Old Christmas photos...

I know I probably won't have time to blog this weekend so I'm posting an extra today. I wish I could find the younger me in the series of Santa photos. It's in my scrapbook and I don't think I have a scan. I had on a little red velvet coat and a little tam, I think. Here's one of just me. The following year was with my little brother and I'll share that next week. I just love Santa photos! Tim Holtz reminded me of these. Check out his tag by clicking on his name. He's amazing!!
**Edited** How embarrassing! I just went back to Dec. 2006 and 2007. I shared these photos in '06! I guess I won't share the other one next week. I may have to photo the little tiny me in red velvet and see if it'll work.




p.s. I still can't figure out why my mom used to cut my bangs so short! LOL

Just a quick post....

I'm swamped but I just wanted to quickly check in. Last night I had a hair appt. and got home around 7 to eat a quick dinner. Then I marched downstairs and started stamping the inside sentiment for my navy cards in silver. They're all standing like soldiers waiting to dry. I ran upstairs to take over that t.v. so I could watch Grey's & ER.

My hubby was downstairs playing guitar. He came up and said, I just bumped into the desk and knocked all of your cards down. I gave him a panicked look and he laughed. NOT a good way to joke with me. I almost hit him.

I need to be a cardmaking machine this weekend on top of decorating the tree which we haven't purchased yet.

p.s. Status on the daily color for pj man - pink floral

Christmas cds...

Finally got to load a few Christmas cds on my way to work. I take six to the car, eject regular cds one at a time and put them in the Christmas cds I'm loading. Then I load them and hit shuffle. This morning I started listening to one in particular because I need that transition from regular music to Christmas music. It's kind of an Alternative cd but I really like it to start. Numbers 8 and 9 are my absolute favorites. I bought it for the BNL/Sarah McL. song. Vanessa Carleton does a great Greensleeves too!









1. Winter Wonderland - Phantom Planet
2. Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Coldplay
4. Green Sleeves - Vanessa Carlton
5. Blue Christmas - Bright Eyes
6. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - Sense Field
7. 12/23/95 - Jimmy Eat World
8. Rudolph - Jack Johnson
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan
10. Bizarre Christmas Incident - Ben Folds
11. What a Year for a New Year - Dan Wilson
12. Sweet Secret - Neil Finn
13. Snow - Loreena McKennitt

p.s. I have to add that I saw Mr. Pink Pants the other day and laughed. Well....this morning he had on bright yellow (like the paint on the street and those lamp posts in parking lots). He was standing next to one and blended right in! LOL, you probably think I'm evil by now. I just think it's funny. I hope he doesn't read blogs 'cause I'd hate to hurt his feelings (or have him hurt me!!!).

Christmas Meme...

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane always has great memes. Here's one for you. Let me know if you decide to play.



Christmas Meme

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? I usually wrap but toward the end on Christmas Eve, I've been known to shove a few gifts in bags! But they are well wrapped in tissue.

2. Real tree or artificial? OOOps, I guess this requires my own answer. I used Stacy's by mistake. We get a real tree and John hates to string the lights! LOL

3. When do you put up the tree? We usually do it a week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? If not before, then New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, with a little rum mixed in.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'm not sure but it was probably a doll of some sort. I was a real girly girl.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we have one that my aunt made for my mom when I was young. It's ceramic and it has little kids dressed for the parts. It's adorable.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Me! Ha, I do have a habit of buying a few things for them and then a few things for me! LOL I'd have to say my oldest son.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm not coming up with anything. Oh yeah, someone gave me a seriously honkin' huge bath set (crystals, bubble bath, etc. in purple).

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Santa Clause

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually pick up a couple of things here and there but the majority is after Dec. 1st.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I think I may have once or twice...but it was a good one, I swear!!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mmmmm...the cookies, fudge, spiced nuts, ham, etc.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear - the boys always begged for colored so I did it one year.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I have a serious issue as mentioned before. I have about 40 Christmas cds. I love it all from Please Come Home for Christmas by the Eagles (or maybe it's just Don Henley?) to John Bon Jovi to traditional Bing. I do love Sarah McLachlan and Bare Naked Ladies doing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We are usually home until Christmas afternoon. Then we head to my big family gathering for a while.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yes!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When the boys were young we would let them open one on Christmas Eve. This was a gift already under the tree from a family or friend. The rest are opened on Christmas day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Definitely the commercialism.
23. What I love most about Christmas? Spending time with family & friends.

Store Bought perhaps....

The Christmas card saga continues. Got home last night & mentioned to dh that I was going to check JCP for a coat I'm buying as a gift for someone. He said that he needed to go to a music store because they had something really cheap that he just had to have.

So I'm already in my pjs, makeup washed off, and he asked when we were leaving for the mall. What?!!! I told him if he wouldn't be embarrassed being seen with me, I guess I could go.

We got home at close to 9:00 after purchasing a few little Christmas gifts! Yay, I'm happy there are a few out of the way but I was ready to be strong and move ahead with the cards. Oh well...I'm hoping tonight I'll get my burst of energy.

Just a short update...

I tried as hard as I could to break away from my Facebook games so I could get some Christmas cards done. I walked into my room and realized that I have four birthdays next week. I scrambled to pull those cards out of my already made bins. Whew! After that I realized that someone at work needed some cheer type cards for a friend with Leukemia. I took out a bunch of ready for sentiment cards I had in my stash. I stamped several "Thinking of you, Hang in There, In My Thoughts",etc. By then it was after 9 and I was tired.

Did I head upstairs? Nope, I went to the computer and squeezed in a couple of Scramble games and then headed up to start my new book. Well, it's an old book that's been sitting in my "to read" pile for years. Stacy over at Exceedingly Mundane inspired me to read a Christmas book this year. Stacy is quite the reader and I try very hard to keep up but it won't ever happen! LOL I only got through a couple of pages and started to nod off...

Yay for me....

I won, I won! I've been pretty lucky at blog candy this past year! I won again here. It's an adorable altered bandaid box. I will use it to tuck my sb related receipts in. Katie is very talented and has lots to offer in her ebay store. You can check out the blog and my prize in the link above.

Chitter chatter....

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Ours was very nice but quiet.

I didn't get many cards done over the weekend. I did pick up my ribbon from the lss and tied ribbons on about 10 cards. I need to seriously get motivated and moving ahead. I stamped with a friend but I didn't get much accomplished - maybe two or three cards and several images.

One thing I really need to do is take a hiatus from Facebook games at night. I'm addicted! And I have a bunch of open games (dh & several friends) so I feel obligated to play. I will have to limit myself from now until I get my cards done.

We had our first snow yesterday. It was wet and icy. The temps went up and it turned to rain. What a mess! I love the first snow if it's nice and powdery white. Well, that's enough rambling. I need to find some subjects before I bore you all to tears.