Steelers vs Cincy today

I'll be headed to Big Al's in Mooresville shortly in all my Pittsburgh gear!  Big Al's is the local watering hole that calls itself a Steeler bar.  That's still debatable in my opinion, but there's usually a good crowd there watching THE game.  Today is a big one against Cincinnati.  We are tied with them in the division with a record of 6 wins / 2 losses.  The Steelers have won five games in a row, the second longest winning streak in the league, and have not lost at home since Nov. 9, 2008, against the Indianapolis Colts, a span of 10 games, including playoffs. The Bengals ended an eight-game losing streak to the Steelers in their stadium with a 23-20 victory on Sept. 27, the first time our coach (Mike Tomlin) has lost to the Bengals. The Bengals are 3-0 on the road and 4-0 in the AFC North this season.

We've got to stop their quarterback, Carson Palmer!!  Hopefully, I'll be singing my song a lot today -

"Here we go Steelers, here we go!"

Monday Mailer/ Thanksgiving Cards to Share

I have a few cards to share that I have either made in the NC Monday Mailer program.  October's theme was using the Big Shot or Cuttlebug and November's theme is Winter Holiday cards.

This is the last October Monday Mailer that I sent.  I don't think I have shared it with you.  If so, you get to see it again!!

I used Dusty Durango cardstock and ribbon with DSP from the Mini Catalog (Autumn Meadows).  The stamp is from the Hostess set, The More the Merrier.  The turquoise is half of a Big Shot Top Note die.

This one is one of my favorites!  It is my November Monday Mailer using the single stamp "Gobble Gobble"  I love that you can just buy single stamps!  This one is found in the Holiday Mini Catalog on page 31, but also check out the single stamps in the big catalog on page 208.  I again used the DSP from the Mini Catalog - this paper is just perfect for fall!  I stamped Mr Turkey several times in Chocolate Chip, More Mustard and Dusty Durango and popped him up (see detailed picture below).

Today's Class

I taught another class today at my local stamp store.  It was another box and set of 4 cards.  I got the directions from Andrea Walford (you can find her blog in my sidebar).  Here is a picture of the project that we made using various stamps and papers sold at my LSS.

Here is the project that I made using Stampin' Up paper and the Fifth Avenue stamp set:

She got the house!

Yay!!  Our daughter is moving forward with the house of her choice!  Several of you have asked about her and I didn't want to post anything until we knew for sure.  She made an offer on a house in San Antonio a little over a week ago and for a week they played the bidding game.  Her realtor was worried that the house would not appraise out at the price they agreed upon.  But, the inspection and appraisal were both done on Monday.  The inspector sent her the report on Tuesday and there are only a few items that need taken care of - the largest one being loose shingles on the roof.  The appraisal came in last night and it appraised out at close to the agreed upon price.  Ashley's realtor sure knows what she is doing because the asking price started out $35,000 more than the agreed upon price.  Yes, it was definitely over-priced to begin with.  It is an older house - build in 1950 but has been updated with about 2200 sq. feet with 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and a pool!  Guess she'll be hiring a pool boy!  She is scheduled to close November 30 but will rent it back to the girl who lives there now for a week.  Ashley plans on moving in December 7 and being there for Christmas!  We can't wait to see her new house and spend Christmas with her in her first house.

Veterans Day

It is not lost on me that the memorial for the Fort Hood dead in the worst attack in US history on a military base came just one day prior to Veterans Day. An act of war in the fight for our civilization.

What can be said to these unsung heroes who put their lives on the line every day for the idea, the principle, the morality that is America? 

I stand in awe, deeply grateful. And while my words are inadequate, the men and women of the armed forces who serve (and served) this great nation are always in the minds and hearts of patriotic Americans who love this country.

THANK YOU!

Yum .... Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread
makes 6 servings @ 4 points each

• 4 slices of raisin bread 
• 1 1/3 cup powdered milk 
• 1/4 cup flour 
• 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 2 tsp baking soda 
• 2/3 cup brown sugar substitute 
• 1 cup crushed pineapple 
• 1 cup egg substitute
• 4 tsp oil 
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 8 oz. pumpkin 

Crumble bread by hand or blender. Place bread and all other ingredients in large bowl and mix well with mixer. Spray 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in batter and bake at 325 degrees for 40 - 45 min. Test center for doneness. Cool 5 - 10 minutes. Turn out on cake rack to finish cooling.

A Mile High Win!

I was a little nervous about Monday night's game, but guess I didn't need to be!!  We decided to stay at home and watch the game instead of joining fellow Pittsburgh fans at Big Al's last night.  I put on my new Bradshaw Jersey that Ashley gave me for my birthday and settled down in my easy chair.  The first half I was still a little worried.  The Steelers offense didn’t do much in the first half but was full throttle in the final 30 minutes. Rashard Mendenhall ran for 130 yards in the second half.  Ben Roethlisberger completed 15 of 20 for 184 yards in the second half.  The cherry on the top of all this was a five-minute, 74-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, which was capped by a 3-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward. This play was spectacular because as Ward caught the ball, Denver cornerback Champ Bailey was lined up to make a textbook tackle. Ward leaped over him and left Bailey grasping at air.

Wow, what an athlete!!  Ward then ran to the stands and tossed the ball to a guy wearing a No. 86 jersey which is par for the course for him.  I think they get fined for giving the ball away, but who cares?? 

The Steelers defense is back!! Troy Polamalu, who was injured early in the season, has been a major difference. He was flying all over the field last night.  The Steel Hurtin' defense rose up in the mile-high altitude in Denver to deliver a crushing victory last night, the team's fifth consecutive win.  The Steelers dominated the Broncos and won, 28-10. 

The victory lifted the Steelers' record to 6-2 and a tie with Cincinnati atop the AFC North Division.   The Bengals???  Are you kidding me?  What is this world coming to??

The Steelers are primed and ready for a showdown for first place in the AFC North with Cincinnati on Sunday at Heinz Field.  I'll be watching at Big Al's with Sonny and Ashley who will be in town!  If you are a Steeler fan and live in the area, won't you join us?

One Sheet Wonder Class

I am teaching a One Sheet Wonder class tomorrow night at my local stamp store.  I just love the card but the prep work for this class has been tremendous.  What was I thinking!!  But, it will be fun!  I have a full class tomorrow so we will be offering the class again December 1st.  Let me know if you are interested in signing up (if you live close to Mooresville).

Here are the samples:

The paper is by Bo Bunny.  We will make 2 of each card (5 different designs), 2 gift cards and a bag.  Probably in class we will only do one of each card depending on the time and you will finish the second card at home.

Snowflakes

I just love this card I made today -

It is a white card with a Bashful Blue layer (4" x 5 1/4") and a piece of DSP (SU Merry Moments) layer (5" x 3 3/4").  I used my Nestabilities to cut the Ovals and stamped "Peace, Love, Joy" (All Holidays - such a great versatile set!).  The snowflakes are also Nestabilities.  I ran them through the Big Shot and - keeping them in the stencil - using a sponge dauber, pounced Ranger Broken China on the white parts.  After doing that to all of them, I popped them out.  Then I ran Crystal Effects (could use a clear drying glue too) over the snowflakes and sprinkled Chunky Glitter all over them.  Let dry and put them together.  I took a piece of wire and ran it through the buttons and through the holes in the middle of the snowflakes and tied it off in the back.  Then I curled the wire and pulled it out on the side - hard to see it in the picture. (if you click on the card, you can enlarge it & you will see the curled wire)

Open House Make and Takes and Tags

Today the local stamp store in Mooresville had their annual Open House.  I met my sister over there and we did a couple of make and takes (see them below), had a "calorie-conscious" lunch (salad bar) and did some shopping.  I so enjoy spending time with my sister now that I live close.  That is something we have never been able to do unless I was here in NC visiting.  I left NC right after I got married and she was only about 13 at the time and I have been gone over 30 years!.  So, this is definitely a perk to living here now. 

The Make and Takes from today.

I also participated in a Tag Swap at the stamp store and received my tags back today.  There are some very talented ladies out there!!

These tags were made by my sister, Marianne (the Christmas village one) and by me (Christmas tree).