Christmas Cats - MDS Monday

I have been super busy as I am sure everyone is at this time of year.  Last week I went to 4 parties where I had to take some kind of food and gift.  By Friday, I was worn out.  Maybe if I didn't wait till the last minute, this wouldn't happen every year, but where is the fun in that??!!  On top of it all, my sciatica has been acting up on top of really tight ham strings in my leg.  So, I scheduled time for a massage in the middle of all the craziness.  It really helped.  Now I continue on with finishing the shopping, wrapping, Christmas cards, ....... the list goes on and on, doesn't it?

This time of year is when My Digital Studio saves my butt!  Here is the page I designed for the MDS Monday Challenge as the Guest Designer this month.

Make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team pages HERE..

These pictures were taken last year at Christmas.  When we were at Ashley's, we could not keep her cat, Bogart, out of the Christmas tree.  We ended up having to throw the tree (artificial) away after Christmas because he had broken so many of the branches.  Sonny and I were dreading going through that with him at our house this year.  Ashley helped us put the tree up when she was here at Thanksgiving (as well as decorate my house!!).  Bogart tried to climb it a couple of times while we were decorating but after that, he left it alone.  We were really surprised.  Well, guess we bragged on him a little too much.  A couple of nights ago while Sonny and I were watching TV, the tree started shaking.  Yep, Bogart decided to try to shimmy up it.  We took turns yelling at him and pulling him out of the tree.  So far, he has only tried to climb the tree that one night.  Not sure what is going to happen next week when we leave the two cats alone for a few days while we go out of town.  Maybe the tree will not tempt them if the lights are not on!!  (Who am I kidding??)

Here is a second page I made showing the two cats this year.  The picture at the bottom of both cats - they are in my lap.  They both love that blanket I throw over me while watching tv.  Sammie always sits in my lap at night.  Well, Bogart has to find his spot too.  Sammie tolerates him for a short while; then she hops down and gives Bogart space.  They are too funny! (You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

MDS Monday Challenge

Here is my page for this week's MDS (My Digital Studio) Monday.  I'm enjoying being a guest designer!!

I love these pictures that were taken at a vineyard in New Zealand.  It was New Year's Eve - our first full day in New Zealand.  We took a ferry from Auckand to Waiheke Island where we found a nice gentleman who drove us around the island for the day - dropping us off at different wineries and coming back to fetch us an hour or so later.  He was a retired school teacher and was really knowlegable about the island.  As it turns out, New Year's Eve is the busiest day for Waiheke Island but he was great about knowing back roads to get us where we wanted to be.  Ashley and Courtney hike up the hill with their wine and got this great view.

Snowman Gift Card Holder

I don't know why I don't do my Christmas cards, gift cards, hand made gifts, calendars, etc. earlier each year.  Instead I find myself trying to juggle it all to get everything done in time!  This week I have something going on almost every day - bridge on Monday, Stamp Club Tuesday and neighborhood Bunco Tuesday night, massage (yay!!) Wednesday, Southern Living Luncheon Thursday night and a trip to Concord Thursday night!  Whew!  I'll get it all done - I always do but I am wearing myself out!!  Not sure when I will be doing my Christmas shopping!!   Gift certificates sound good to me along with a little on-line shopping!!

I made this gift card holder a while ago and can't even remember how I made it.  I saw it on Pinterest and followed the trail for the directions.  But do you think I can find it now????  Nope!

It's easy to figure out though.  The snowman is punch art using Circle Punches for the snowman.  The gift card holder was made with the Envelope Punch Board.

We have been really surprised that Bogart (Ashley's cat) has left our Christmas tree alone!  He hasn't tried to climb up it once.  Guess he's more afraid of Sonny and I than Ashley!  She will be here in a couple of weeks.  We'll see if he minds her then.  We're entering our final few weeks with our visiting cat.  I know Sonny is really going to miss him although he sure won't admit it.

Year End Close Out and Welcome New Occasions Catalog!

Make sure you check out Stampin'  Up's Clearance Rack.  It's time for year end deals.  Discounts will be up to 80% plus they are adding Christmas items.  Just remember these items are only while supplies last.  When ordering on-line, please use HOSTESS CODE N4KDHCAU

One of the stamp sets that is on Clearance is Spread the Joy.  This set was never in the catalog but was a special stamp designed by an employee at Stampin' Up.  I just love this set!  Here is a card Ashley made using the set last week.

Here is the saying close up -

Last night I attended the SU Occasions and SALE-a-bration Reveal in south Charlotte.  Marianne and I drove to Charlotte when she got off work and met a group of SU demonstrators for dinner before heading over to the theatre for the big Reveal.

The catalogs are awesome - lots of flower stamps which are my weakness it seems!  I think you will like the new products that are being offered.

While we were standing in line waiting to go in the theater, I met several ladies who recognized me from my blog!  I was flattered.  (Hi! Vicky!!)  Guess it's a good thing I just recently updated my picture!

I have several events next week that I am trying to make little goodies to take for Christmas.  I'm afraid I am running out of time!!  I also have a few calendars to make as well as a few secret projects on My Digital Studio!  I need a few of Santa's elves to help me!

I am also trying to finish up a Christmas banner to hang above my fireplace.  I loved the Thanksgiving banner that I made.  I made it using the Banner Kit (that was just recently on sale).  I sponged the letters and the background.  The pom-poms are from the November Paper Pumpkin Kit. For my Christmas banner, I am spelling out PEACE and I just did the letters on the reverse side of the GRATEFUL banner.  I have that part all done - I just need to make something to go in between the letters - ribbon, banners, etc. .... haven't decided yet.

Tag - You're It!!

The past few days I have been making Christmas tags.  I don't know about you, but I don't ever have enough tags to put on the packages that I wrap.  I like making my own tags instead of buying them.  Also, in December for my Stamp Club, I put the materials out and a few samples and let my members have fun either creating their own tags or copying mine.  I also stumbled across a Tag Challenge today so I thought I'd include my tags in their challenge.  Check out the cute tags at SU Only Challenges.

This is the back of the tag above on the right using the Stack of DSP from the Holiday Catalog.  I doubled the tag and punched the Tree Punch through both layers of the Trim the Tree DSP.

Here are the other tags that I have made:

Gift Bow Christmas Creation

It's time to create all of those cute Christmas projects you need to make - time is starting to run out!   Be sure to add these three projects to your list.  All three are made using the Gift Box Bigz L Die.  The cute snowman makes a great decoration for any room; the angel ornament is perfect for any tree; and everyone would love to get a treat in this cute Santa box!  These projects can be made quickly, so you can make them for all of your friends and family.  Don't forget to make one for yourself, too!!




Isn't this a fun and festive ensemble?  This project, designed by Christy Fulk, is the November Bonus project a Craft Project Central.  Qualifying for the bonus tutorial is easy .... just subscribe to two or more months in a row; put the Craft Project Central badge on your blog OR refer a friend to the site. When you friend subscribes, just let us know!

MDS Monday Double Page

I am so honored to have been asked to be a Guest Designer on the MDS Monday blog design team for the month of December.  This is my first post in that capacity.  Each Monday this month when the new challenge sketch is posted, you will see my design idea for the challenge along with those of the deign team members.  Be sure to click on the link above each week to see the challenge designs and what all the team members have created.  You can join in with your own design if you like.  If you don't have My Digital Studio (MDS) yet, you can download the free trial.  I would love to help you get started!!

 I discovered MDS Monday several months ago, and I think I have only missed one or two weeks following along with the challenge and submitting my MDS layout.  This week's challenge is for a double page spread.  I decided to use pictures from my recent New York trip - specifically, our Culinary Tour that I shared with you here.

Snowflake Flip Card and Mini Album

Are you ready for some snow?  Or a least a few flakes?  This set explores using the Snowflake Flip Card Thinlits set to make four cards that double as gift card holders, a box to hold those lovely cards, and a mini album.  This would make a wonderful gift for someone special or a great winter class project.





This project is designed by Amanda.  To get the instructions, please subscribe to Craft Project Central for November.

MDS Monday Challenge to use Numbers

We are all so busy this time of year.  I was in the kitchen most of the day so I won't have to spend the day there tomorrow!  I made my mashed potato casserole that is always requested by Marianne's boys, the cherry jello salad made specifically for Sonny, a pumpkin pie and have made a start on the cranberry salad that is my favorite and a recipe I got from my daughter-in-law.  Tomorrow, I'll do the apple pie (afraid to make it today in case certain people in my house decided to sample it!), a new recipe for a creamed corn recipe and put together Marianne's dressing.  Ashley will do a green bean casserole and deviled eggs.  So, I think we are set on food!!

Because of everyone being busy, MDS Monday is doing the challenge for two weeks this time.  Since I need my MDS fix and love using the challenges to make my pages, I made this page.  Tara made a simple sketch for the challenge but the tricky part of the challenge was to use numbers on our page!  It took me a while to think of something to do using numbers.  Then it hit me ... where was I when 2014 started!  Auckland, New Zealand!!  So I did a New Year's page.

Holiday Printers Tray

I was thrilled to be asked to be a Guest Designer again with Craft Project Central this month.  I decided to make a holiday themed Printers Tray this time.  So, the project that is posted at Craft Project Central today is DESIGNED BY ME!!

I used the Designer Series Paper, All Is Calm and Silver Glitter Paper.  I just love the blues and greens in thatDSP.  I used a variety of current Stampin' Up stamps and accessories to create the project.  If you would like instructions, subscribe to Craft Project Central this month.  There are a lot of other great projects available for download with your subscription.