Happy Halloweeeeeeen....

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You're a friendly person, but not the life of the party. You like making someone else's day - and you'll dress up if you think of a really fun costume. You definitely think of yourself as someone who has a dark side. And part of having that dark side means not showing it. Your inner child is open minded, playful, and adventurous. You fear people taking advantage for you. You are always worried about protecting your own interests. You're prone to be quite emotional and over dramatic. Deep down, you enjoy being scared out of your mind... even if you don't admit it. You are a total overachiever and workaholic. You're the type of person who plans their elaborate Halloween costume weeks in advance.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

One of the surprises....

This was put in a package to a friend. I don't think she reads blogs so I'm safe...or I hope so anyway!

This was one of my recent Whipper Snapper purchases. I'm loving my unmounted stamps! I colored with Prisma & Gamsol. (Yes, Maia, you are a Gamsol in distress! LOL).

p.s. Linda, does the paper look familiar? ;-)

Moving holidays...

It was a chilly 28 degrees when I left my house this morning. I am so not ready for this weather!!! The good news is that it will warm up so that tomorrow will be about 60. That'll be nice for the trick-or-treaters.

QOTD - Did your town/city move Halloween to another date? I'm sorry but I just don't understand why a city would move it to the previous weekend. The city my son lives in moved it to 10/25. Why would they do that? Ok, I can see if it fell on a week night and they changed it but it's FRIDAY!! What's wrong with that?!

I have never had it moved where I lived. I think I'd protest. It's kind of like celebrating Thanksgiving on the day after or something. I just don't get it. (ok, don't bash me because I know there are a couple of instances but still). The holiday was set on a certain date/day for a reason, right?!

Speaking of which, I get Veteran's Day off. This year it's a Tuesday. Did they move it to Monday to give us a long weekend?!! NO....so I'm taking a vacation day on Monday to have an extra long weekend. ;-)

Getting there...

I am almost to the point where I can say I'm caught up. Things just keep coming up! I finished the two baby cards (had to buy the ribbon on my lunch hr.), made a birthday card for an online friend ;-) (not mentioning anyone's name here), cleaned up my area and it was almost 10 p.m.! Unfortunately I can't post the card for now. I'm really liking the pencils with gamsol technique. I can't afford to buy a bunch of Copics right now and to be honest, I still haven't gotten the hang of them!

Am I the only one who loves putting little surprises in the mail? I get a kick out of it. I never tell people to watch their box or anything, I just like it to appear and have them surprised. So I sent out three surprises today. Ahhhhh....can't wait for them to arrive!

Misc. cards....

I made a few baby girl cards last night but I've posted before. I also made a couple of monogram thank yous for a friend. I now have about 5 for her so a couple more and then I can deliver them.

I made this one a while ago but I couldn't post it because I made it for an online friend. I know she got it so....due to a lack of new cards, I'll post.

I seriously need to get my Christmas card design done. I usually do a few different ones because I make about 80. I'm pretty sure I will make about half this year. Just don't have the time!!





How embarrassing!!! I just clicked and saw up close that I never colored in the other leg!!!!!!!! Of course, Stacy was too nice to mention that. LOL That is too funny! Shows how bad my eyes are getting.

A chance to win....

Oooh, I just love blog candy. Don't you? Go on over to Cuppy Cake and post a comment for a chance to win Shimmerz. I hope one of us wins!!

Two 'fer.....

Ok, I am bored with my own blog so I decided to put out some questions and hope you'll play along.

Two 'Fer(remember, only two):

1. Name two things you did yesterday/last night.
2. What are two of your current favorite foods
3. List two things you are looking forward to
4. Name two things you fear
5. What are your weekend plans


I know, it's kind of lame but that's all I could come up with....nothing thought provoking here! LOL

Here are my answers. Let me know if you decide to play!


1. I colored in an image and I watched Grey's Anatomy.
2. This is so hard....I love most foods. I will say a pumpkin muffin from Dunkin' Donuts (just ate one) and filet mignon.
3.
4. I'm really looking forward to Halloween for reasons I'll have to tell later; and Thanksgiving. I love having a day to spend with my boys. We don't eat together very often any more. They are going in different directions and there's just no time.
5. My constant fear is something happening to my boys. My latest fear is this horrible economy. I seriously hope it turns around fast but highly doubt it.
6. I can't wait to see my cousin from San Fran tomorrow! He's one of the funniest, coolest guys on the planet! My boys may go too. He's very artsy like they are so they can relate. I'm also looking forward to just not working this weekend.

Old man winter is upon us...

Brrrrr...it's cold out there! The temp was in the low 30's before I left for work. I heard on the news last night that it would be in the 20's in some places but never heard where.

I don't think we've ever been this cold this early. I'm predicting a cold and nasty winter!

What do you keep your temperature at? Ours is set at 68 degrees. It's been nippy enough in the house for me to wear a sweatshirt - so unlike me. Why is it that 68 degrees in the spring/summer/fall is a nice and comfortable temp and it feels so cold in the winter?!

Ok, I had nothing to blog about today so that's all folks!!!!!!!!!!!

Bella Bella....

Made this card for my Card of the Month swap in my card group. I pulled out all the Bellas! I used the SU Bella dp and Stamping Bella stamp. This is one of the stamps that my sweet online friend sent me.

I've been using gamsol & Prisma pencils to color in. I just do not have enough Copics and I think I'm better at this method. I just haven't gotten the hang of Copics..

I also used SU pink pirouette ribbon and cs in pink pirouette and riding hood red. Love those colors!!

For the love of stamps....

My online friend was so sweet. She put these stamps in a beautiful card and mailed them for my birthday. They didn't show up and we figured they were lost. About 3 weeks later, I got the envelope. It wasn't ripped or anything. So weird...it must have been hidden somewhere at the post office and then found.

I was so excited to see I had another Bella with a cute sentiment and an adorable Lizzie Anne stamp with a sentiment to match. You can't see them that well but that's ok because I'll be posting cards using the stamps just as soon as I can get to them. Thanks a million, Tracy!!

I also got a cute little santa in the mail from another very talented stamper friend who is local. I won't post him until I can make the card. I'll try to get that done this week. Thank you, Kristen!

The view....

Everyone comments daily as they are walking up to my desk. They see this view behind me. I don't turn around that often so I forget what's back there! It's really gorgeous. Give it a few more days and it'll be perfect.

Grateful....

I made this card for an online group as a background technique challenge. I'm not the technique queen, I am more of a simple stamper. I remembered something I did once in a class. I used glossy paper, embossed with Versamark & clear embossing powder and then brayered over it with an autumn spectrum pad.

I decided I needed a sentiment and found the grateful one. I made a duplicate and I'll give it to my mom for Thanksgiving.

I used SU cs and I can't tell you who makes the ribbon or brad because I've had them in my stash for so long!! I believe the background leaf is Penny Black and I have no clue on the main leaf. The sentiment is SU.

One card and a lot of paper...

One of my online friends sent me this ginormous stack of paper! I did a favor and was well rewarded! I was so excited when I opened the box. Thanks a bunch, Linda!! I will put it to good use. I took the photo next to my big 16 oz. glass just to show how tall it is. I used the first piece last night to make this twin baby card for my niece.

I kept thinking of cute little ideas like double trouble or twice blessed (so not my niece), etc. I ended up just saying congrats with two giraffes. I don't know what made me use a giraffe on another friend's baby card but I liked the idea and decided to go with blue and purple to match the pp I had.

Why is it my photos are always crooked?! LOL It's not my best card but I had to rush before Grey's came on.

No stamping....

The band was recording last night so I didn't bother going down to the basement to make cards. I desperately need two cards - one for my niece who is pregnant with twins and a 25th anniversary for this weekend. That will be hard one to make. It's my uncle who has ALS. I mean, what do you say? I certainly can't say, "Wishing you many more happy years together." I didn't say that right but you got my drift. Anyway, tonight I will have to get down there and get at least these two made.

I did pop down there briefly to say hello to my son. He noticed my hair cut and said he really liked it and said it looked very "scene". He asked one of the guys if he thought it was scene and then they all looked at me and said it was and that it was awesome! It was cute. I just love these guys! They made me feel not so old and a little "scene." LOL

So that's all folks. I hope to be posting some cards tomorrow.

Blogger challenge....

Got this adorable little ghost in the mail from a stamper friend who challenged me to make a card with it. It was fun but I always hate posting with the talented ladies that will come to see it! My style is simple. I couldn't decide whether or not to put a BOO! on the lower right but I thought the Happy Halloween on the Imaginesce paper acted as a sentiment. What do you think? Should I add boo? I can't believe I actually made a card with a sticker!!

Leaf Peepers....

We went up north this weekend for our anniversary. We were hoping to see some moose while there. We traveled even further north from where we were staying to an area known for having moose walk down main st. We drove up 13 mile road and did not see one moose. We drove up to Dixville Notch (first electoral vote) which is almost on the Canadian border, still no moose (the above was our only viewing).

I will say that the foliage was peak and gorgeous! Unfortunately it was somewhat cloudy so our photos are very dark. It was beautiful in person, really.

Once in Dixville, we went to the Balsams resort and then up to their Panorama golf course. Wow, it was breathtaking! Not only was it gorgeous, but it had to be 32 with the windchill. It was 42 degrees without. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr....

After that, we drove through the Mt. Washington roadway and down the Kancamagus Highway which is also beautiful. We weaved through Maine and NH and finally came home. Here are a few photos. The reflections were amazing in the last couple. They're dark though. We also saw snow on Mt. Washington.


This is the Balsam's Resort. We used to go on ski trips there way back BC (before children).












Dixville Notch view from the Balsams.















Horrible photo of me showing how cold it was!!












Reflections:



























Mt. Washington













Loon Mountain

Misc. & weekend...

I finally finished my first Bella card last night but I didn't have the time to photo & upload. I started late and had to pick out a few cards from my stash for my niece and a couple of online friends.

The band was recording until 10. I was starting to get aggravated but I know they were trying to finish so I didn't say anything. Our rule is usually 9 p.m. They'll be back Fri. to hopefully finish up.

We are heading to Maine for our anniversary. We're staying at a new place (new to us) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a nice room! We're going up north to see the foliage, almost to the Canadian border. I hope to see some wildlife too. I've never seen a moose in person! I don't want it to be too close but I want some photos. It should be fun.

The most exciting part is I'm on vacation tomorrow through Tuesday!! Yay.

The boys in the band...

To answer Maia's post below as to what the band boys/men (they're all 22-23) call me:

It's funny, they really don't call me anything. They just say hey on the way in and thanks on the way out! LOL Oh, I just remembered, one time the drummer had to call us to see if we were home. He had to pick up his drums. He did call me Mrs. Qxxxxx.

They're really sweet though. On my birthday, each and every one came in and wished me a Happy Birthday! My son must have told them for some reason.

When we went to their concert, they all thanked us for supporting them and allowing them to practice in our house. My dh always says it's fine, but when they make it big, I want to read, "Thanks to the Q's for allowing us to practice in their basement." Too funny.