Design Team!

A Christmas gift arrived a few days late this year, but it was the best gift ever! I made the S2G Design Team!!! From the moment I won my first S2G stamp last July, I've been in love with their stamps. I knew then that I wanted to be on their team!! Dreams do come true... I'm there. The Girls are going completely digi in 2010. Right now, they're having a gigantic sale on all their clear stamps. What a bargin!!! Go get them while they still have some. The DT is listed on my sidebar. Make sure you go visit them, too. They are a very talented group of ladies!!  (P.S. My Inner Self is smiling right now!)

Challenge Myself and a New Year's Resolution

As the year draws to a close, I've begun reflecting on things that I've done and left undone over the past twelve months. Of course this brings on  a cry for a new year resolution. Let me be the first to announce mine. I want to be more organized. My Inner Self wants me to be more organized. My husband wants me to get it together. I'm starting with my Christmas card list. Each year I save Christmas card envelopes with  intentions  of  making an address book. It never happens! Purchased this little box at Michael's for $1.00. Covered it with my favorite Christmas paper and embellished with a Verve freebie digi and some ribbon. I now have a Christmas card address box. Like most resolutions, my attempt to organize will probably disolve after a few weeks...at least I have a cute little box.

Snowtacular Sunday

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Today at Stamptacular Sunday it's a Snowtacular Day! Create a card or project that includes lots of snow! I chose this Mo Manning Digi for this card because it's just too cute. I don't do people very often because of the coloring. I'm terrible at shading and skin tones. One of my goals for 2010 is to work on improving my shading skills. Santa brought me some money, and I plan on investing in some Copics!! I'll keep you posted. Now make your way over to Stamptacular Sunday for all the deets and inspiration on this week's challenge.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! It's been a lovely day in the MacD. household. Grandson Will had as much fun playing with the Christmas wrappings as he did with his toys. I'm stuffed from the traditional Christmas dinner and have escaped to my studio because I miss the place. It is definitely my sanctuary. Completed a little project which I'll share next week. I'm off to do a little reading before calling it a night.

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Challenge

It's time for another JCBC Challenge. Here's my take on the sketch. It's a birthday card challenge this time, and you have two weeks to complete this challenge! The little image is a S2G digi stamp. I think he's just too cute.

Stamptacular Sunday

Today's challenge at Stamptacular Sunday is to make a card with more than one fold.  There is a tent fold that holds a gift card inside. Go see a  pix of it and all the other inspiration at the SSC. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

Mr. Grinch

I'm not sure Benson hangs with the right crowd. Max looks worried.

The stocking weren’t hung by the chimney with care,

And I hope that I can find them in the basement somewhere.

Benson is nestled all snug on his window seat,

While visions of dog bones dance to the beat.

Okay, creative writing is not my forte!

 

Update- Tree is up. We'll put ornaments on it when Grandson Will is here.
Benson goes to the groomer today. This is the "before" pix. Still have a zillion things to do; so, I better get busy!

'Twas the Week Before Chistmas

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through my house there are no signs of Christmas... thank goodness there's no mouse!

Yes, the Christmas tree is still in its box down in the basement. I see the biggest challenge before me. I'm off from work the next three days, so I'm going to get ready for Christmas. Daughter Kelly and Grandson Will are arriving on Sunday. If that doesn't motivate me...nothing will.

Award

I was presented an award today! My e-pal, Sam, from Mays Daze sent it to me. I was so thrilled to be thought of as a "Kreativ Blogger." As part of receiving the award, I must pass it on to other "Kreativ Bloggers." I'm amazed at the number of creative people out in cyberspace!  I visit at least 50+ sites a day and view amazing projects. It would be impossible to choose only 7 to receive this award. However, I've come to know a few regular followers on my blog who leave me fun comments all the time. Their comments keep me lifted and for that I'm passing the award to them. Sam, you're on that list! I guess I can't pass it back to you!

Rules

 1. Thank the person who gave you the award

2. Copy the award to your blog with a link to the person's blog

3. Share 7 interesting facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 7 other bloggers, posting links to their blogs

5. Leave messages on their blogs to let them know about this award
*********************************************************************
7 Interesting Facts about Myself:
   1. I came in third in a Hula Hoop contest when I was 5 years old. I hooped for 5 1/2 hours. I would have won, but my dad made me stop. I think he got tired of waiting around.
   2. I'm the middle child of seven. I think that explains a lot.
   3. I love to read historical fiction and light mysteries. Southern writers are a favorite, too.
   4. I think I'm double jointed. Can you tell I'm running out of Interesting facts about myself.
   5.  My hair is naturally grey. It became natural about 2 1/2 years ago.
   6.  I really hate housework..
   7. I really hate housework.  
 
Nominations for this Award
1. Cat   (Convinced me that blogging was a good idea.)
2. Patti J. (I think she may be related to my Inner Self. She leaves funny comments just about everyday)
3. Justine (She always leaves fun comments)
4. Georgia ( We share the same name! That's never happened to me before! She always sends fun comments, too)
5. Sam

Out of Steam

I'm completely out of  steam. This old steam engine (me) is taking a break from challenges. At least, I hope I can take a break from doing them. My Inner Self isn't even twisting my arm. Who knows... the clean house, do the laundry, wrap gifts, grocery shop, decorate, bake cookies, and make fudge elves may appear and give me a hand.  One can dream...

Card

I really needed a better photographer for this card. It just doesn't look the same as in real life. Don't know what went wrong. I'm thinking it's the angle and the lighting. Oh well.

Challenges:

Penny Black Challenge- red and gold

Fab and Funky- sketch

The Pink Elephant- winter/Christmas

Cheers to the Golden Years

A very good friend of mine is retiring at the end of this week. Her husband has made arrangements for a few of her lifelong friends to join her on Friday evening for a limo trip around town to several great places for food and drink. Cheers to the Golden Years!

Challenges:

Truly Scrumptious- sketch

Stampin' for the Weekend- blue and brown

Crafty Catz- brown, cream, and white

Even Dogs Have Dreams

My little dog's dream is to run with the big dogs. There have been times when he's asleep where his little feet twitch and he whimpers. I know he's dreaming of running with our big dogs. On Christmas he'll recieve this "big dog" bone. Merry Christmas, little dog.

Challenge:

Crafty Creations Challenge- Christmas for pet

Digital-Ink Co Challenge- Holiday Frenzy

One nice thing about doing challenges is that they come in handy when you need a last minute quicky gift. Today's Challenge at DICO is to make a last minute gift tag, gift bag, box, etc. Thanks to this challenge, I made these little gift tags for some out of town packages. The little penquin (I have a thing for penquins) is by Whimsy Design Studio. I love how they look like they're dancing off the tags. Now make some of those last minute things and enter the DICO Challenge.

Stamptacular Sunday- Blue Christmas

Today at Stamptacular Sunday the twist is a Christmas card without the traditional red and green. It's easier than you think! Get in the holiday spirit and join the fun over at the SSC. Somebody has to win, it may be you!!

Baby, It's Cold Outsde!

One of my favorite wintertime treats is a cup of hot chocolate with mini- marshmallows floating on top. When I saw this digi stamp at Sweet and Sassy Stamps, it made me smile. That's all it takes to get me to buy a stamp. I smile often.

Challenges:

Friday Sketchers- sketch

Paper Cutz Challenge- snowman or snowflake

Papertake Weekly- Red and Green must not be seen.

A Spoon Full of Sugar- monochrome

OCC Challenge- Christmas Theme

Crazy4 Challenges- snow

Stampin' for the Weekend- blue and brown

Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential- song (Baby, It's Cold Outside)

Stamp Something- Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland Challenge- Ho!Ho!Ho!

Totally Gorjuss- anything goes!

Fat Kitty is at it Again!

Fridays go by just too fast! It's the day I pretend I'm retired. Spent the day getting two new tires for my faithful middle age car. Had to make time for a Twisted Thursday S2G Challenge. One of many things I like about digi stamps is being able to size them to fit your needs. The twist to this week's challenge is to add glitter or bling. I almost forgot about the twist.  Stickles did the trick, so now it's ready to post!

Back in the Game with Happy Feet!!

I met my deadline for mailing Christmas packages; so, my Inner Self is leaving me alone today. Don't have to be at work until 4:00pm! It's almost like having the day off except I have to put 8 hours in tonight! Making a card allows me to take it easy. Now that my card is out of the way, it's grocery shopping and housekeeping for me.

Challenges:

Pile it On- tinsel (diamond on snowflake and stickles glitter)

Card Patterns- sketch

Whimsie Doodles- cookie shape and one of their stamps

Charisma Cardz- red, green, silver or white

Cute Card Thursday- bead

PaperPlay Challenge- movie or book (Happy Feet)

We Can Build a Snowman

Just in case it doesn't snow when my grandson is visiting over Christmas, I've designed a little snowman kit.

Challenges:
Dare You to Digi  red, green, nuetral
Simon Says Stamp snow
Inky Impressions Challenge- snowflakes
ABC Challenge- J is for jigsaw

Inside the card is a larger version of the digi stamp. I cut it into pieces and will attach a little magnetic strip to each piece. With a cookie sheet, he will be able to build a snowman.

Tricks of the Trade Tuesday and a Challenge

I'm scheduling this post because I need to get to bed. Have to be at work at 6:00am!!

I'm suppose to be in time out. For some reason my Inner Self is  leaving me alone. It might have something to do with truffles. Maybe I have found her weakness. Hah! I know better...


This card is for the Cuttlebug Challenge and Pile it On. Glitter, bling, and cuttlebug are the ingredients for the challenge. The snowflakes and background were made with the cuttlebug. It also works for Stamp Something Challenge.

The cute little penquin is from Digi Web Studio.

Here's my Tricks of Trade Tuesday Tip- If you have Photoshop Elements (I'm sure other programs will do this,too), you can take a colored png object and make it a stamp. That's what I did with this little guy.
Steps: 1. Open your png pix.
           2. Click filter
           3. Click sketch
           4. Click stamp
Now you can color the object yourself.

Debut Card for Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Challenge

This is my debut card as a DT for Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Challenge. This challenge is every two weeks. If you love to work with sketches, this is the challenge for you! The little penquin cupcake is a Whimsie Doodle Digi. He's just too cute. Zap yourself over to the challenge to view the sketch and inspiration pieces. Hope you join us this week!

Lindor Truffles to the Rescue

I almost didn't do the S2G Twisted Thursday Challenge this week because of the twist. It calls for foil or tin. I have neither.  I'm also in time out. Earlier today, as I was munching down on my third... fourth... or maybe fifth Lindor Truffle, I got a nudge from you know who. I looked down at the wrapper and realized it was foil!! Since my Inner Self gave me the idea, I had to follow it through to the end. Yes, under the snowflake is a Lindor Truffle wrapper. Challenge accomplished!!

Stamptacular Sunday

The inspiration for this card came from a snow/ice storm we had last winter. Even though we were without electricity for several days, the beauty of the snow/ice covered trees was so worth it. It was absolutely beautiful. The world was quiet during that time. What a wonderful memory! The challenge this week was to give it some bling! The photo doesn't capture the bling. It's a stunning card in real life. Make sure you stop by Stamptacular Sunday for inspiration and the deets of this week's challenge.

Confession is Good for the Soul

I didn't go back to cleaning my house; however, I did stick to my major "to do" list. I think that's okay. Inner Self is just shaking her head. Here's a pix of what I did. It's the Christmas gift I'm making for my great nieces and nephews. I found the wonderful books at Kohl's. They became the inspiration for this project. As part of the gift, I've included a cake mix, muffin mix, sprinkles, cupcake holders, and blackberry jam. You'll have to read the books to find out why I, the crazy old aunt, included such things in the Christmas package. I have to make two more sets by Thursday. It's the day I plan to mail all out of town gifts. Inner Self needs to learn something about a time crunch.

Winner of the Where's Georgia!!!!

I have a winner!!

West Point, New York

What a beautiful campus!!!

Stitchy, You won!!!

Apparently, my last clue was a "dead giveaway!"

Please leave your home address in the comment section.

I won't publish it!

Hint:

It's in the northern half of the U. S.

East of the Mississippi

Setting of a movie starring Maureen O'Hara

Mr. Jackson, a famous mule, lived here

I was able to get out of time out long enough to post this entry and complete a card commitment for Stamptacular Sunday. Don't forget to visit the site on Sunday for a new challenge. It's a fun one!!

I'm off to clean some more!! ugh!!!!!!!!