White Christmas ....

I've heard that there wasn't any snow back home so thought I would send some 'white' north.  This is the Southern most tip of the United States in Key West at the end of Duvall Street.  We ate breakfast this morning in the restaurant behind the beach chairs.  Life is good here.  The frozen margaritas are spectacular, the sunsets beyond compare and Jimmy Buffet is no where to be found.  There are also a gazillion people in a town made to hold a few thousand.  There is very little parking for cars so when you find a parking spot it's similar to winning the lottery.  Somehow it wasn't the sleepy palm covered town I envisioned.  I don't know where I get my preconceptions but the one I had does not match the reality of being here.  There aren't many beaches here to lounge on, we couldn't find any wildlife that wasn't drinking and every picture would have a person in it.  So, we've visited, we've eaten decent food (I had yellowfin for dinner last night and it was superb), we've had a few frozen drinks and we're heading north in the morning.  Back to the Everglades where we belong.  Strange that we should come here, we like wide open spaces, lots of wildlife, small crowds and no traffic.  If you like fishing and water sports, this is the place to come.  If you like peace and quiet, stay far far away.



A Christmas Request....

While we're all getting ready for the holidays, our neighbors are spending their time at the hospital with a grandson.  He's a cancer patient running out of options and his grandmother is requesting Christmas cards for him. 

This was her message to our community Facebook page:

Cindy Chouinard Payne Update on Joshua Ryan Pilger: Today is Friday, 12/16/11. The doctors called Josh's dad and I out of his room tonight to talk. They stated the cancer is not responding to chemotherapy and it is growing. We were given two options. One: we could take him home or Two: We can try a different type of chemotherapy that will hit him hard and hopefully kill it this time. It will be very dangerous as it will knock everything out of him and time will tell if this works. I stated that I want to fight but it is Josh's decision on if he is up for this. We went in the room and the doctors told Josh exactly what he was up against. Without any hesitation, he responded that we were going to fight. THANK YOU GOD FOR GIVING ME SUCH A STRONG SON! I am asking everyone to please pray with everything you have to let him win this battle. We are going to start the new chemotherapy on Sunday morning. And take a minute out of your schedules to send him a Christmas card to let him know that you are praying for him. I want him to know that all of you are behind him in this battle. Thank you! Josh's Mom OSF Children's Hospital, St. Jude, Josh Pilger, Room 406, Peoria, IL 61637

Josh is 17 and a senior at IVC high school in Chillicothe, IL.  He likes the Bears.  If you could find a minute to drop Josh a Christmas card, his parents and grandparents would be thrilled as I know Josh will be.  If you send me a .jpg of your card and your e-mail address, I will post your card on my blog and after the first of the year, send you some "thank you" digital images that I will create just for this request and will be available only to those who send cards.

OSF Children's Hospital, St. Jude
Josh Pilger, Room 406
Peoria, IL 61637

As you open presents on Christmas Day, take a moment to say a prayer for Josh and his family.  Thank you so much.

501 jeans commercial...

Musings:  Have you ever had a commercial that just made you go, "huh?"  The 501 Jeans commercials used to do that for me.  I'd watch the commercial not having any idea what it was about until they ended it with "501 Jeans" and I'd go ?????????  There is a commercial playing on a local station currently that really confuses me.  I'm a huge Judge Judy fan - never miss her.  The local station that plays Judge Judy in our area also runs a commercial that starts, "If you love Judge Judy, you'll love the free checking options of Mid Illini Credit Union."  Say what?  It's hard to even laugh at that or am I missing something? 

My first collage...

You can probably tell from my card - I don't do collages.  With all the fuss about Tim Holtz and all the Tim Holtz products I have, I thought it was about time I tried one.  Lots of stuff going on here.  I have the embossed heart lock and key.  Two butterflies that have been distressed, embossed and covered with UTEE.  There's an embossed, distressed pocket watch and a button.  The background paper is wonderful, I find it very odd that although Michaels is always out of stuff I want, they do have a great line of paper.  The image has Pine Needles Distress Ink on the edges.  The brass heart is an old charm I had and the butterfly is an earring I lost the mate to.  Not my best effort but I'll get better, I promise.

Paper: Recollections Love Letters, Kraft; Stamp: Saturated Canary Gothica; Spellbinder Labels 8, Fancy Butterflies, Timeless Heritage; Cuttlebug Clockworks Embossing Folder; Distress Ink Pine Needles; Copics: [Skin E000, E51, E93, B63][Clothes BG93, BG96, BG72, BG75, BG78, E43, E44][Hair E51, E50, E53]
Musings:  Have you ever had a commercial that just made you go, "huh?"  The 501 Jeans commercials used to do that for me.  I'd watch the commercial not having any idea what it was about until they ended it with "501 Jeans" and I'd go ?????????  There is a commercial playing on a local station currently that really confuses me.  I'm a huge Judge Judy fan - never miss her.  The local station that plays Judge Judy in our area also runs a commercial that starts, "If you love Judge Judy, you'll love the free checking options of Mid Illini Credit Union."  Say what?  It's hard to even laugh at that or am I missing something?

Hugs and Kisses....

Well, I'm finished with my Christmas shopping.  The stockings are all hung by the chimney with care.  We're having Christmas on the 18th for many reasons.  So many places to go, people being pulled in so many different directions.  And, we are going to Florida over the holiday, so any time we can get all of the people we love in the same room at the same time, it's Christmas.  My hubs will make out like a bandit this year.  I kept my ears open and bought all the things he mentioned, plus a few he didn't even know existed.  I think he'll be a happy camper this year.  Santa loves him.  My oldest grandson finally has an apartment so we got him 'grown up' stuff.  He likes to cook so we got him presents to promote that talent.  We also give money - the gift that keeps on giving.  Always appreciated, always the right size and color, not always the right amount. 

The weather has been up and down since the 1st of December - up to 60, down to 18.  We actually had a toadstool come up the 2nd of December.  Weird weather.  I would love to see about two inches of freshly fallen snow and all roads cleaned off by 11:00 a.m. on the 18th.  I'm fixing a big pot of chili so we can concentrate on prezzies.  I already have one of mine - the new Keurig coffee pot.  I'm still deciding if I like it.  I'm not crazy about the coffee my hubs bought for it - we like a relatively light coffee and these are pretty strong.  Also, it only fills 3/4s of the smallest cup we own.  Why drink two or three cups when one will do, right?  Maybe I should have asked for the Mr. Coffee Latte machine.  That sounds more up our alley.

Hugs and Kisses....

Well, I'm finished with my Christmas shopping.  The stockings are all hung by the chimney with care.  We're having Christmas on the 18th for many reasons.  So many places to go, people being pulled in so many different directions.  And, we are going to Florida over the holiday, so any time we can get all of the people we love in the same room at the same time, it's Christmas.  My hubs will make out like a bandit this year.  I kept my ears open and bought all the things he mentioned, plus a few he didn't even know existed.  I think he'll be a happy camper this year.  Santa loves him.  My oldest grandson finally has an apartment so we got him 'grown up' stuff.  He likes to cook so we got him presents to promote that talent.  We also give money - the gift that keeps on giving.  Always appreciated, always the right size and color, not always the right amount. 

The weather has been up and down since the 1st of December - up to 60, down to 18.  We actually had a toadstool come up the 2nd of December.  Weird weather.  I would love to see about two inches of freshly fallen snow and all roads cleaned off by 11:00 a.m. on the 18th.  I'm fixing a big pot of chili so we can concentrate on prezzies.  I already have one of mine - the new Keurig coffee pot.  I'm still deciding if I like it.  I'm not crazy about the coffee my hubs bought for it - we like a relatively light coffee and these are pretty strong.  Also, it only fills 3/4s of the smallest cup we own.  Why drink two or three cups when one will do, right?  Maybe I should have asked for the Mr. Coffee Latte machine.  That sounds more up our alley.

So, here's my next Saturated Canary image.  Can't seem to get away from them.  I'm still working on my pleats, I'm just not practicing enough.



Paper: Basic Grey Out of Print, DCWV Latte Matstack, Recollections; Stamps: Saturated Canary Queen of Hearts; Cuttlebug Plum Blossom Embossing Folder, 3D Crystal Lacquer, PrismaColor Pencils, Spica Clear, Pink, Baby Blue; Martha Stewart Heart, Leaf Punch; Pebbles Inc. Chalk; Copics: [Skin E000, E51, E93, B91][Clothes R81, R83, R85, B91, B95, B93, E41, E40][Stick YR24,][Hair E50, E51, E53]

January Birthday Sentiment and Calendar

Hopefully these are posted early enough for you to use them for your January birthday cards.  I very much enjoy making these for you and would love to see what you do with them.

Download January Calendar

Download January Birthday Sentiment

Snippet 18: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by.  Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.  After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction."

Fess up time....

I'm going to share something with you that not even my best friend knows about me.  David Tutera's "My Fair Wedding" always makes me cry.  I adore the way he makes the bride feel as if there is nothing more important on her wedding day than her.  He certainly knows how to make a woman feel special.  I wish there were more of him in the world.

Snippet 17: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"A good wife always knows her place."

Fess up time....

I'm going to share something with you that not even my best friend knows about me.  David Tutera's "My Fair Wedding" always makes me cry.  I adore the way he makes the bride feel as if there is nothing more important on her wedding day than her.  He certainly knows how to make a woman feel special.  I wish there were more of him in the world.

And speaking of special women, here's another image from Saturated Canary.  I can't get enough of them.  These little girls just speak to me and who can resist that face?

Paper:  Basic Grey 'Out of Print', Recollections; Stamps: Studio G, Saturated Canary 'Alice' digital stamp; Spellbinder Label 4; Spica: Silver, Orange; Pebbles Inc. Chalk; Papertrey dies; Copics:  E000, E00, E93, BV01, G21, RV34, Y35, B95, E51, E50, C1, C3, E04, Y0000, Y00, Y02

Snippet 17: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"A good wife always knows her place."

Master of the house...

Snippet 16: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity.  Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness.  You have no right to question him."

Hot chocolate for all....

I've managed to combine two of my favorite companies in one card - Kraftin' Kimmie for the snowman (isn't she just delicious?) and Make It Crafty for the background.  I've often expressed my love for digital images and MIC is just the place to get them.  Zoe has released an entire line of winter backgrounds that you can find here.  Mix and match, lots of choices.  I do believe I have every digital image on her site.  And I'm a big fan of the Moonlight Whispers stamps from Kraftin' Kimmie but the snowmen in the new release are too cute.  How lucky was I to find brads that matched my paper?  Looking at this card, I think before I mail it, I will add a little blue chalk on the top of the image, it seems too white for me, even for Christmas.  I plan to give this card to our wonderful post lady.

Paper:  Stash, Cricut; Stamps: Hot off the Press, Kraftin Kimmie, Make It Crafty; Brads: Bo Bunny; Stardust Stickles; Copics:  B01, B02, G24, R81, R83, BV04, BV02, BV01, R22, R24, E35, E34, R11, N0, Y18, Y19, YR61, R17

Snippet 16: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity.  Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness.  You have no right to question him."

It's beginning to feel like Christmas....

After a really glorious fall, cold weather has come to Central Illinois.  The sky is gray, the wind is from the north and cuts right through you.  I have to admit, I wasn't ready although we've finished the outdoor chores.  We've scooped the leaves out of the pond, put our tropical pond plants in a tub in the bay window, brought in 2 of our 3 rain barrels (the 3rd stays up to replenish our indoor plant's water on those warm days that melt the ice in our black barrel), covered the furniture in the gazebo, raked most of the leaves and burned them, cleaned out the gutters, emptied and turned over the bird baths, dug up and stored next year's canna bulbs, moved the bird feeders from the south side of the yard to the north side where I can see them when I craft, cleaned out all the birdhouses for winter use, purchased straw for mulch for next year (there seems to be a shortage of straw in March when we need it), put the heated bird bath by the front window where the cat can enjoy the show, brought in all the outdoor plants that will winter in the bay window, filled up 40 gallons of water from the rain barrels to store in the garage (we thaw as necessary), cleaned out the garage and moved the cars in, and stocked up on bird feed.  Whew!  We're actually ready for a rest now.

Snippet 15: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice."

It's beginning to feel like Christmas....

After a really glorious fall, cold weather has come to Central Illinois.  The sky is gray, the wind is from the north and cuts right through you.  I have to admit, I wasn't ready although we've finished the outdoor chores.  We've scooped the leaves out of the pond, put our tropical pond plants in a tub in the bay window, brought in 2 of our 3 rain barrels (the 3rd stays up to replenish our indoor plant's water on those warm days that melt the ice in our black barrel), covered the furniture in the gazebo, raked most of the leaves and burned them, cleaned out the gutters, emptied and turned over the bird baths, dug up and stored next year's canna bulbs, moved the bird feeders from the south side of the yard to the north side where I can see them when I craft, cleaned out all the birdhouses for winter use, purchased straw for mulch for next year (there seems to be a shortage of straw in March when we need it), put the heated bird bath by the front window where the cat can enjoy the show, brought in all the outdoor plants that will winter in the bay window, filled up 40 gallons of water from the rain barrels to store in the garage (we thaw as necessary), cleaned out the garage and moved the cars in, and stocked up on bird feed.  Whew!  We're actually ready for a rest now.

On to my card.  I've been working on Christmas cards for a week now.  I mass produce about thirty of them, simple designs and easy to finish.  But I have about twelve recipients that I send special cards to.  This is one.  If you've kept up with my blog, you will see that I'm not big on mixed papers.  I don't know why, I guess I just don't have the eye for it like my buddy Sheri.  I've found if I keep to the same pad, some designer has already done the matching for me.  This card was created using My Mind's Eye paper.  Each printed pattern came from the same Sweet Dreams Holiday Avenue pad.  I also don't use flowers much, but I'm crazy about this new Spellbinder Layered Poinsettia die.  It contains 4 layers of flower petals and one leaf die.  I filled the inside of the flower with a little Glossy Accents and a bunch of teeny tiny yellow gems shaped like ovals.

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Sweet Dreams Holiday Avenue; Stamps: Magnolia Edwin on Christmas Eve, Whimsy Holiday Ticket Sentiments; Cricut Elegant Edges Cartridge; Spellbinder Layered Poinsettia Die set; Copics: [skin E00, E000, E51, E11, E93][Hair Y11, Y19][Clothes R89, R39, R37][Package E11, E13, E15][Apples R24, R27, YG07][Mittens W00, W1][Basket E35, E37][Shoes E57, E55, E59][Shadow N0, N1]

Snippet 15: Excerpt from Housekeeping Monthly - 13 May 1955

The Good Wife's Guide:

"Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice."