We Made It!

We made it all the way to Texas ... in two days!!  So much for taking our time and stopping along the way!  We probably drive about 10 hour on Thursday to arrive at Ashley's house about 8:30.  We have been busy ever since we have been here.  I've been unpacking boxes (pretty much all done!) and finding homes for her stuff while Sonny has been Mr Fix-it.  And, we've made various trips to Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal Mart, Target, etc.  Yesterday my niece and her two little boys, my nephew and fiancee, and my brother in law came down from Austin to help.  My niece, Melinda, is a whirlwind.  She finished decorating our Christmas tree, had us all moving furniture, cleaning mirrors, arranging, etc.  My head was spinning!  But, I have to admit, we got a lot done in just a few hours.  While we were doing all that all the guys worked on putting in a vent in the guest bathroom which involved my nephew (who is about 6'5") climbing up in the attic and positioning the vent while the bigger guys (girth .... not height!) worked from the inside of the bathroom!  Today I am going to tackle her study/craft room and try to get it organized while Sonny installs some shelves in the closet.  We're getting there!!

We were able to watch a little bit of the Steeler game yesterday.  My sister, Marianne, kept me up to date on my cell phone during the first half.  Then we found a Steeler bar (they're everywhere!) to watch the second half.  And believe it or not, our team WON!!  It was in the final second but they're famous for that as evidenced by last year's Super Bowl!  It was nice to have a win again after so many losses!

Well, gotta get to work!  Maybe I'll even get a chance to make a card today and post it for you tomorrow.

Published!!

I had another card published!  My upline, Carol, called me from Washington Sunday to tell me.  She said she was thumbing through Stampers Sampler at Michaels and saw my name.  So, she had to buy the magazine.  I haven't bought the magazine yet but it is on page 9 I think she said.  I haven't sent any cards to them!  I sent a bunch to Take Ten last spring or summer.  Since they are owned by the same company, I guess they share cards sent to them.  They are supposed to send you a free magazine when they publish your work, but I've been published about 4 times and only received a freebie once!  I don't usually buy Stampers Sampler Magazine because it is not really my style - it's a little too "artsy" for me.  So, if Carol hadn't called me, I wouldn't have know.

Go check it out!!

Punchy snowman

I made this snowman card using the circle Nestability and embossed him with snowflakes.  The card is also snowflake embossed and stickled.

I love snowmen!

On the Road Again ....

Well, I'm "On the Road Again" .... can't say "Can't Wait to Get On the Road Again" though!  It was a long day.  We had breakfast at Waffle House in Lincolnton about 9:30 and then headed south.  We made it to Mobile, Alabama where we are staying tonight in a comfy (I hope) motel!  I had figured we'd stop in Montgomery but Sonny wanted to keep on getting it.  He really wanted to go as far as New Orleans!!  But I believe his good sense got the best of him.  Or, maybe it was me saying we were going to stop somewhere to eat dinner before heading any further!!  I have a feeling we'll be bypassing New Orleans and heading on to Texas tomorrow.  What is it with men?  When they get in the car, there is only Point A and Point B .... no stopping and sight seeing along the way!  When Ashley and I made this trip last summer, we stopped at every Welcome Center and stopped and had meals along the way .... not at gas stations for coke and peanuts! 

Well, the hotel lobby is closing so I'm headed to the showers! 

Just Punchy

Isn't this the cutest tag?  I just love it!  I got my inspiration from a few I saw on Splitcoast and just had to make one.  The circle is a Nestabilities Circle and the reindeer is from punches - oval; 5 flower punch for ears; snowflake for antlers; Boho Blossom for his hair!  See what you can come up with using your punches!

Votive Candles ... my way!

I stamped some votive candles this week and they turned out soooo cute!  It was super easy too.  After I did the candles, I made a little box to put them in.   Here they are:

Here's what you do:

• Choose any stamp you like and stamp on TISSUE paper.
• Punch out your image with a circle punch (3/4" worked for me) that is close to the size of your candle.  (easiest to sandwich your tissue paper between copy paper to punch)
• Punch a small hole in the middle of your design...then thread the wick of the candle through the hole.
• Your image should be resting on the top of your tea light.
• Simply heat the tea light with your heat gun until the wax melts over top of your stamped image. While the wax is still melted, sprinkle on a bit of glitter if you want it glittered.

CLICK Here for the box pattern.

Here's a close up of each one I made.

We are leaving in the morning to start our trek to Texas for the holidays so you might not hear from me for a few days!  We are driving and expect to make it in about 3 days.  I'm so excited!!

Holiday Lineup

A quick share for you.  More Christmas cards but this time I used Holiday Line Up .... such a stinkin' cute set!!

And talk about cute .... check out this post about my grandson!!  What a doll but like his daddy, a sneaky one!

Snow Swirled Christmas Cards

I borrowed the Snow Swirled stamp set from my daughter several months ago and have just gotten around to making some Christmas cards with it .... before I have to return it next week!! 

I finally have all my Christmas cards made, addressed and stamped.  They will be going in the mail tomorrow!  Since I haven't put up any Christmas decorations this year, I've been able to get my other little Christmas chores down in time!  We'll be leaving in a few days to drive to Texas!! 

Gift Giving Guide

 Click HERE to see a gift giving guide from Stampin' Up.  If you would like to order any of these items, please let me know!!

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Order by Dec. 15th to arrive before Christmas!

Were there some Sizzix dies or accessories that you know you want–or you know your friend wants? Now’s your chance! There are special deals from now until shortly before Christmas on Stampin’ Up! exclusive dies and other accessories for your Sizzix Big Shot and also select Decor Elements.

The 12 Days of Holiday Sales begins today and runs through December 22. Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from, and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies. Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a new level!

Check it out HERE and call me if you want to place an order