Happy New Year!

Daily thought from RealSimple.com:
December 31, 2007
"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions. "
— Joey Adams

He's COMING!!!

I can't tell you the last time I was so excited about a movie! My friend CLEW told me she saw the preview but I didn't see it until 2 days ago. I'm pretty sure I embarassed my girls. I was squealing and jumping up and down in my seat. Dana had a concerned look on her face too. Oh well! She'll understand when she watches the movie. So, is it March yet?

Our Christmas

Christmas Eve Church ServiceHe could NOT wait to open this!
The flower pillow kit, Sarah got from her Aunt Susan & Uncle Steve. She made the pillow and gave it to her sister for Christmas. So sweet!
WOOHOO!!! (Sorry about the no makeup thing!)

Makeup, YEAH!!!
My niece, Dallas. I think she likes it!
A monkey for our "Monkey Pod"
She was squealing while opening this!

Jody's Creative Corner

Awesome Graphics at pYzam.com

Good News, Bad News & a Video Gem for Christmas

Good News: the Christmas cards are in the mail
Bad News: they're empty

As for the video gem, it's located at the bottom of the page. It feaures comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's character "Achmed the Dead Terrorist". It's not pc and there is language, so it may not be suitable for everyone. For the rest of us ~~ enjoy!

Grrrrrrr....WHERE THE HECK?

OK, so apparently I'm late getting them out and no one will get them on time. At least that is what I'm hearing on the news about the timeline for mailing Christmas cards and gifts. There's just one ginormous problem. We had a great family picture taken, I ordered a bunch of copies to send out with the cards, and now I CAN'T FIND THEM!!! How in the world to things just dissapear like that?!? I'm thinking maybe the Grinch snuck into my house and took them. That's about the only thing that makes sense, kwim?!?

So unless they magically reappear in the next hour or so, the cards will have to go out without them. I guess on the bright side is it gives me another opportunity to make a bunch of cards to send the pictures out whenever they do turn up. But still........

My Riverwalk

We went to the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio last night. I just love how the city decorates it at Christmas. There are lights in the trees and carolers floating down the river. We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant on the river, Casa Rio. After dinner we went on one of the riverboat cruises. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Anybody wanna sneeky-peek?

Here are the new goodies coming out! I really need to win the lottery cuz I want it all! I love the new Designer Papers and -- did you see that adorable Valentine ELEPHANT?!? GAH!!!

These items will be available starting January 2, 2008. You can either go to my Stampin' Up! demo's website or to the Stampin' Up! website to find a demo near you!

Horton, Is that YOU?!?

I just love this picture my friend, Suzanne, sent me! Given my love of elephants and Horton Hears a Who, I just about melted when I saw this!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of family, fun, and football!

Daily Quote from RealSimple.com:
"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. "
— G.K. Chesterton

Up to the "Challenge"

Elzybell has the cutest stamps! I used these 2 for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #28.

Here the recipe so you can cook up your own:

Stamps: Elzybell Peace, Dream & Wishes/Angels on High

Paper: pomegranate, always artichoke, Dashing dp

Ink: black stazon, basic black

Accessories: silver Painty, Diamond Stickles, pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon

This is a Tea Bag Holder I did for the New Technique Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. The girls will be giving these to their teachers.

Here the Recipe:

Stamp: Ellzybell Mouse Bauble

Paper: whisper white, ruby red, real red, old olive

Ink: old olive, real red, close to cocoa, gold Painty, creamy caramel, cameo coral

Technique: tea bag holder

The Latest on Nick...

Thank you all so much for your prayers and concern. Nick was in rehab less than a week. To say we're disappointed is a major understatement. He has no use of his right arm. There is talk of surgery, but later. Not sure why "later", but at least there is talk.

Now that he's home, grandparents are taking turns staying at the house with him. Remember, his Mom died from lung cancer last Thankskgiving, so Chris has to work. Anyway, they have to stay with him because apparently his judgement is not very well due to his head trauma. I have no idea what this means for his ability to graduate HS this year. He also had a promising catering business that was doing extremely well.

SO.......that's all I know today. We thank you all for your continued prayers. Have a happy turkey day and remember to give thanks for all you have. Hug someone you haven't hugged in awhile -- you know, that impossible in-law, meddling aunt, obnoxious cousin who loves to remind you of that embarrasing time when...... Well I'm sure you get the idea. I know we're thankful that Nick is still with us.

A Promise is a promise...

Don't you just love Horton? I have a love of elephants anyway and was taught that integrity and character really matter. So Horton Hears a Who! is probably my favorite Dr. Seuss book.

As I promised, here is my latest attempt at "art":

This first one is for a new technique challenge at Splitcoast. The challenge was to try "Japanese Stab Binding" It sounds dangerous, but it's really not. Actually it's quite simple!

The second one is for today's color combo challenge at Splitcoast. Colors to use are Kraft and Pomegranate, with an optional neutral. I like this combo so much I made 13 of these puppies! I just wish I could make better bows. I guess I need to review this video by Kristina Werner. She has a really fabulous blog. In fact, my blog wants to be just like her blog when it grows up!

AWOS

I've been AWOS (absent without stamping)! Things have been crazy the past week. I didn't even have time to stamp over the weekend. Hubby was out of town, Sarah had her last soccer game of the season followed by the eos party, Dana had her District Championships for gymnastics up in Austin. It's the first meet I've ever missed in her 7 yrs of competing. She did pretty well!

Next up:

• Sarah's playing in a soccer tournament next weekend: 2 games Saturday, 1 on Sunday
• Dana's getting ready for her State Competition mid-December

I promise to get some more "art" posted soon! In the meantime, here's today's daily quote from RealSimple.com:

"Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. "
— Jacques Prévert

Update on Nick

Hello y'all! Just wanted you to know Nick is being transferred to a rehab facility today. They'll provide psychological counseling to help deal with the loss of his 4 friends. Also some physical therapy for his right arm. Although they aren't very confident he'll ever have much use of it again.

We appreciate your continued prayers for his recovery and for the families who lost their children.

Update on Nick

The latest from my parents who drove down to see him is not great. He's not able to move his right arm. We are hoping it's due to his broken shoulder blade and nothing permanent. He was told late this afternoon about his friends that died - of course he did not take it well. Also, he looks about as bad as you'd imagine. Still no word on when they'll move him or send him home. I'll keep ya'll posted ~ thank you for your coninued prayers.

Prayers Please

Today I'm sending out a prayer request.

My nephew, age 17, was in a terrible auto accident this past Saturday night. He was with 5 other friends, all seniors in high school. Three, including the driver, were pronounced dead at the scene, one died later at the hospital. Another boy and my nephew are in the hospital. My nephew has a punctured lung, broken ribs, 2 broken cheek bones, and a broken shoulder blade.

I ask that you pray for the families who have lost their children. And please pray for healing for my nephew and his friend. This will be a long hard recovery for all involved.


Daily Thought from RealSimple.com: "Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers." -- Alfred Lord Tennyson

Playing with chalk...

These card were made for the "Ways to Use It" challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

The challenge is to use chalks, but not pastels - chalk ink. Luckily I've had some ColorBox chalk inks tucked away. I've never used it for stamping, just to color an embellishment.
Here are those Recipes:
Stamps: Eat Cake
Ink: Yellow Ochre, Dark Moss, Charcoal, Warm Violet (Colorbox)
Papers: whisper white, old olive, pink passion
Acccessories: tab punch, grosgrain in Rose & Spring Moss

Stamps: Linen (background), Stem Silhouettes
Ink: Yellow Ochre, Dark Moss
Papers: Naturals Ivory
Accessories: scallop punch, grosgrain in Spring Moss


Daily Thought from RealSimple.com: "Three things in life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind." -- Henry James

Our Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Today's card was done for the Card Sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. It was very simple and quick.

Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Tag Time (retired Hostess set)
Paper: Only Orange, Vintage Violet, white, Halloween (Making Memories)
Ink: Basic Black, Only Orange, Marigold Morning, Vintage Violet

I used the Ticket Corner Punch on the center layers.

Have a very Happy Halloween and don't eat too much candy!

Why females should avoid a girls night out...

Here's a funny joke one of my dearest friends sent:

Why females should avoid a girls night out after they are married...


Recently I was invited out for a night with the 'girls.' I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, 'I promise!' Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down very easily. Around 3 a.m., a bit tipsy, I headed for home.

Just as I made it through the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed three times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another nine times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution in order to escape a possible conflict with him. (Even rather impaired... three cuckoos plus nine cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos--MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him 'MIDNIGHT.' He didn't seem upset in the least. Whew, I got away with that one! Then he said 'We need a new cuckoo clock.' When I asked him why, he said, 'Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, 'oh, shit.' Cuckooed four more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted.

Sandy Claws

Happy Tuesday! We're all feeling much better today ~ kids are back at school. Of course I remembered AFTER Sarah was gone that yesterday was her teacher's birthday. YIKES!!! Guess she can give her the card when I pick her up from school. Here's what it looks like.

Today's card is for the Color Challenge at Splictoast Stampers. Today's challenge is to use Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, and Real Red. I also took it as another op to create another cute, yet simple Christmas card.

Here's that recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Crab & Company

Paper: white, So Saffron, Real Red

Ink: Real Red (to color Mr. Sandy Claws), Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

Accessories: word window punch, So Saffron Pastel Chalk, Dazzling Diamonds (for his hat), Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon

Daily Thought from RealSimple.com: "There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience." --Archibald MacLeish

"Wanted" Another

Hey y'all! I just love these new Stampin Up! stamp sets! I had time today to try Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. It was very easy. And you see that scalloped circle on the bottom right? Well I can tuck the card under that to keep it closed. It's so nice to have a card design that something other than a single-fold note card. Here is Beate's tutorial.

I punched out the circle with the scalloped circle punch. I also used the Ticket Corner Punch on the corners of the main stamped image and striped dp.

Recipe:

Stamps: Wanted, Bronc Buster

Ink: Stazon Timber Brown

Paper: Natural, Outlaw dp (designer paper)

Accessories: eyelets

Techniques: Z-Fold, Sponging

WHAT??? AM I YELLING???

Ugh. First Dana had it - fever, stuffy nose, dizzying headaches, etc... Then Sarah started to get it. Now me. I've kind of felt it coming on for about a week. Yesterday my ears decided to plug. Just when I started chomping on a carrot stick no less! So it's just us girls at home today. Drinking juice and sucking on throat lozenges.

Empty yards are a very sad thing :(

He went home today. We got a call this morning and found out he lives a few streets over. It's a good thing I put out the big neon posterboard signs yesterday. There's no way his people would have seen the other signs I had up. We learned his name is "Agate", like the stone. He belongs to a lady in her 80's and it was her neighbor who called. He usually takes Agate and his brother for walks on Sundays since their owner has hip problems.

So he in now in his own yard with his brother who I'm sure is very happy to see him. Apparently he got out of his yard on Tuesday. No wonder he was so hungry and thirsty when we found him on Wednesday!

Ballet Blue Horse

This card is for this week's Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers.

I've had this set for a couple weeks and can't believe it took me so long to use it! It's also my first time using Basic Grey's Urban Couture designer paper. I usually stick with the Stampin' Up! stuff.

Here's the complete recipe:

Stamps: Wanted

Paper: Ballet Blue, Basic Grey

Ink: Stazon Timber Brown

Accessories: Lily Kate by Basic Grey

Look what followed us home, Mom!

Well he didn't exactly follow them home, they were already home. I went out last night to tell the girls dinner was ready and found them petting him. Dana was also on her cell phone. She found the phone number for the vet on his rabies tag. Unfortunately the tag is from 2005 and they weren't able to track it.

Any fear I had about them being with a strange dog quickly vanished as he was clearly ready for belly rubs. Any takers? It seems belly rubs are his "gift"! He is very sweet and well trained. He won't come into the house, but he has managed to get 2 paws in and look around. Maybe it's the tile floor?

The girls would love to keep him, but as sweeet as he is, I'm sure someone is missing him! I put up signs last night. If someone can pass my quiz, well then he'll be going back to his house. That will be a happy/sad moment.

Any guesses as to his breed? I'm guessing lab/shepherd.

Thoroughly Thankful

I have a LOT to be thankful for. Or I guess it's - I have a LOT for which to be thankful. Either way, my life is pretty damn good! I have a wonderful hubby, great kids, great parents, and I love my friends. The only thing that stinks is that so many of my friends are scattered all over the country. I think this is why I was so drawn to this stamp set.

Here's the complete recipe (all products from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamp: Thoroughly Thankful
Paper: Naturals White, Pomegranate
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: twill (Joanne's), eyelets (Making Memories)

Snappy Birthday

My sister-in-law, Susan, is turning 50 next month. To honor her, we (her family & friends) are each assigned a day to brighten for her. We can send a card, gift, flowers, etc.... Anything to make her smile. Here is the card I made for her:

Here is the recipe (all supplies are from Stampin' Up!)~
Stamps: Crab & Company
Paper: Natural, Pomegranate, Soft Sky
Ink: Pomegranate, soft sky, River Rock
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

And now for something completely different:
Yes, it's a quote from Monty Python, which I LOVE!!! This is a "painting" I did today. It was very simple, looks like a 2 y/o did it!
http://www.createpaintings.com/result.php?id=11932380778679
Click here to create your own painting.

Busy weekend...

To say this was a busy weekend would be a major understatement.

Friday night was another SAGA skills meet for Sarah in New Braunfels. It didn't start very well because she bent her 2nd toe back and was in a lot of pain. But she was a trooper. She iced it in-between events and did her best. She ended the night with 5 red ribbons (2nd place). BTW, she now has a bruised toe and foot. I'll try to get a picture to post (edit: see bottom of this posting). We got home around 9:30 pm.

Saturday morning Sarah had soccer pictures at 9:30 am. Her Dad tried taping her toe for stability. But the poor kid was in a lot of pain. The Motrin wasn't working. During the game she played back defense. I felt so sorry for her - hobbling around trying to get to the ball. She did get in some great kicks. Good thing her right foot is in good shape!

Saturday night was Dana's gym meet in Austin. We left early and met her team for an early dinner at Red Robin. The meet went really well and the girls had a great time. Dana got 8's on Beam, Floor, and Vault. Just nevermind about Bars ~ LOL! We got home around 11:30 pm.

At the end of the competition the girls had fun dancing. They did the Electric Stomp (ok I don't reallyl know what it's called, so we'll call it this for now) and the Macarena. Even their coach, Sandee, joined in the fun!

Sunday I slept in until 10:05 am!!! I did manage to get the pile of clothes in Sarah's room hung up. That was my main goal and I'm feeling much better about mself as a Mom now! Hubby took down our deck in the back to make way for the bricked patio we'll be putting in. Dang it, I should have gotten a before picture. Oh well. Here's how it looks now:

I'll post more pictures as more work gets done.

Here's her foot. It may be difficult to see, but there's bruising between the 1st and 2nd knuckles on her 2nd toe and on the top of her toe. No really, it's there!