Saturday, November 28, 2015

Tote Bag Birthday!



Look what my sister, Rochelle, made for me!  So adorable!  She even used Graphic 45 paper to make it!  Since I know I hoard Graphic 45 paper - I know what a sacrifice she made to use it to make my gift! And it's one of my favorite collections - By the Sea!!  Not only that- but I have a twin sister and she made one for her too!  I am speechless!

 
She even gives a link to the  instructions on her blog.  I have her as a link on my side bar but you can click on the link below if you want to give it a try-
 
 
 
Another angle
 
 
Not only did she make this cute bag - she added a gift too!  I love the saying on the charm! I will wear it often!  Thank you, Rochelle!    I wish the same for all who read my blog!
 
 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

 
The turkey is in the oven, the ham and chicken (yes, chicken) are in the crock pots!  We have 18 family members coming today to celebrate and give thanks for all our blessings!  The centerpiece above is new this year and I can't wait to turn the candles on.  Yup, all the candles are battery operated- so cool!  We don't have to worry about a fire!!
 
 
This is the view looking into the kitchen. I can't believe we had enough room for 18 guests!  But they all will fit!  I hope!


Here is the view from the kitchen into the living room!  Good thing we are a close family!  As I type this, I can smell the turkey!  Yum!

 I have been working on several ideas for our Christmas cards this year!  Also, I have the cards ready to assemble for the office get together next week.  We make about 30 cards to give to co-workers at other offices.  The picture below is going to be the front of the card. When we are finished making the cards- I will post pictures!


Here are several more cards that I worked on for our Christmas giving but may not use them due the level of detail required and the fact that I need to make 30 of them!  These are Diarama cards!  I love making them!  I saw some on Pinterest and have fallen in love with them!  Here is a tutorial on how to make them from Linda Higgins. She does a fabulous job with her instructions.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/256564509997564538/



Manger Diarama card


Here is one I made using Elizabeth Craft Designs ( Karen Burniston cute animals) mice.  I just love this cute critters! 




Well, the smell of turkey is calling me to the kitchen!  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  This Thanksgiving is the first one since my Mom died but I know we all will be thinking of her and Dad the whole day.  I am so thankful to have had such wonderful parents and thankful that they gave me such wonderful siblings.  Today, I am sharing Thanksgiving with a lot of love in my heart.   I want to thank my heavenly father for all the blessing in my life!  Have a fabulous day!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Post Halloween 2015



I hope everyone had a fun Halloween!  We had about 18 kids come Trick or Treating to our house!  We saw some great costumes!  When a button is pressed on the Witch above- she twirls and laughs...a really spooky laugh!   The kids loved her!   I love Halloween!  Now onward to work on Christmas cards and treat boxes!





These boxes are the Self closing boxes that I saw on Pinterest! I think they are adorable.   I used the tutorial from Stamping with Dawn located here:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/188940146844559914/



 
I love making these boxes since they are really easy!  Dawn's instructions are great!  The picture above shows how you can put a sentiment on the back of the box. I made 2 different Santa boxes but not sure which one I like best.
 
 
 
The picture below shows a visitor we had in our back yard on Saturday!  Hope you can see her- she was very brave to come so close to our back porch.  I could have watched her forever!  They are so beautiful!  When she ran off - she looked so light on her feet - like she was prancing thru the woods.  We have seen so many deer around our house - especially in the morning on our way to work.  Fall is my favorite time of  year- except I know what is to come.....