Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you a super 2009, filled with health, happiness and all the people you love :) Thank you for your friendship and support throughout this year!

Tote-ally fantastic!

This is a card I made the other day with one of the sets released this month by My Favorite Things. It's a shopping-themed set called "Tote-ally Fantastic" :) This card is a little more detailed than I usually make, but I really enjoyed the change! There's some hand stitching, lots of coloring and lots of cutting!

I'm taking Nattie out shopping this morning; she needs some new sneakers before going back to school next week. Hopefully we'll find some on sale! Have a great Wednesday!

A sad afternoon....

The kindergarten teacher I work with was absent for the last couple of weeks of school before winter break; her mom was very sick and unfortunately passed away on the 18th. Today I went to the funeral service along with another staff member from the school. I was watching the kids who were there and thinking how tough it would be to lose someone right in the middle of the holidays, when that time of year is already so stressful for many people. I came home and gave my kiddos and hubby a big hug...

TCP Tuesday Sketch Challenge

This week Leigh is hosting another awesome sketch challenge! Check out all the details (including the original sketch) on her blog right here :)

For my card, I used the "You Say It's Your Birthday" clear set from TCP. The patterned paper is from the "Chemistry" line by Cosmo Cricket; I really love the colors in this set! I also paper-pieced some parts of the stamped image using the patterned paper. The flowers are from my stash, and the brads are by Doodlebug.

Have a super Tuesday!

Tea Time :)

Hi all! Thank you for all the happy birthday wishes :) I had a super day with DH and the kiddos, and then our neighbors came round in the evening for a few hours for cocktails, appetizers and cake! It was just a fun, fun day! I love birthdays :)

Today's card is the one I made for this week's "Who's That Girl?" challenge that Laura and I are hosting on the My Favorite Things forum on Splitcoast Stampers. I used one of the featured sets for this week, "Hot Stuff", and our additional challenge is to use torn paper somewhere on the card. The patterned paper is the "Sugared" collection by Basic Grey.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to me :)

Got a busy day planned today...going out for donuts and tea with Iain and the kids, then we're going bowling together :) This evening we're having the neighbors round for an open house, so I'd better go and get started!

Have a great day, everyone!

(Card made with "Bundles of Bouquets" set by MFT. Patterned paper and "t" monogram from Crate Paper)

Just Cards Vol. 12

Last week I got a copy of Just Cards (Volume 12) in the mail; I have 5 cards in there! I believe it is in stores now. My blogging friend Linda is also published in there! It's a great issue :)

Holiday hugs :)

I wanted to wish all my blogging friends a super holiday season :) I hope you're all having a terrific time so far, whatever you're doing!!

Santa was very kind to us this year; he brought the kids (and Iain and me) a Wii, so we spent some time yesterday bowling and playing mini golf :) We all got some awesome treats and are enjoying spending some relaxing days together. Our Christmas Day is always very laid-back; Iain and I both have memories of stressful Christmases when we were kids (I'll save you any more details than that), so when we had our kids we decided that Christmas Day would always be about them. We stay home all day, we stay in our jammies all day, we eat what we feel like having for dinner, we pull our Christmas crackers, we play the new games the kids received (this year it was Blokus, Guess Who? and Memory Madness), and we just hang out together. It's fun for all of us :) And that's the way it should be, right?

I have my birthday coming up in a couple of days...the big "3-7" - yikes! :)

After-holiday Sale at TCP!!

Alma's having a sale from today through the 30th!! Everything on her website is on sale! Go check it out!

Happy Holiday Wishes from the TCP Cat Pack :)

Hi everyone! Instead of our usual TCP Tuesday challenge this week, the members of the TCP Cat Pack are linking our blogs to send you our warmest holiday wishes! Even Sprinkle has joined in the fun - look how sweet she looks over there!

Thank you so very much to my "old" and "new" blogging friends for all your support this year - I wish you a safe, happy holiday season filled with everyone and everything you love :)

Now, head on over to Karrie's blog and read her holiday wishes for you!

Feeling very lucky :)

I am feeling very, very lucky this weekend. Friday was the last day of school, so I knew that a chaotic day was in store :) First we had a staff breakfast where we all revealed whose "Secret Santa" we were - it was hilarious listening to some of the reasoning behind the guesses!!

Next came the kindergarten class party; we had about 8 parents helping out who had organized lots of crafts and food for the kids; they had a blast - what's not to like about anything involving glitter or frosting?? I was overwhelmed by the kind words from parents who came and spoke to me. One of them said, "In case you ever wonder if your job is worthwhile, don't ever doubt it. These kids love you!". Wow. Of course, as a mom I am always been very appreciative of my kids' teachers and I help out in whatever ways I can, but it was different this year hearing it from the other side since I'm now working at the school as a para.

The class also sang "Happy Birthday" to me and gave me some flowers and a beautiful leather journal. My birthday isn't until the 28th, but they somehow found out that it was during winter break and still celebrated anyway :)

I am a lucky, lucky girl! Happy holidays, everyone!

(Details for today's "Holiday Thanks" card: "Snow Bunny Flopsey" stamp by My Favorite Things; sentiment by Stampin' Up!; Copic markers)

Elzybells Holiday Card

Well, I'm home from work today - Jamie has a really bad cold and so I'm keeping him home; Iain will be here tomorrow so I'll be able to go to school for work for the last day if Jamie is still sick. So today I think I'll get some house cleaning done, do some reading for school, watch a movie snuggled up on the couch with Jamie, and finish up the little holiday gifts I've made for the kindergarten class I work in.

Today's card was made with a stamp by Elzybells. I love the little boy and girl images; they are lots of fun for coloring! I believe the patterned paper is by My Mind's Eye. Happy Thursday, everyone!

TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge :)

Hi everyone - sorry I didn't post TCP Tuesday yesterday; our internet connection wasn't working during the time when I'd usually post. Sooooo - this week our Hostess with the Mostess is....drum roll please....KARRIE! You can find all the details on her blog :)

We at TCP have mixed the challenge hostesses up a little, and Karrie will now be hosting our Stamp Challenges :) And this week's challenge is a very seasonal challenge - use ANY TCP CHRISTMAS TREE STAMP as part of your fabulous creation! Come on, you know you want to play along! I'll photograph and post my card later this afternoon when I get back from school.

Wednesday evening: here's my card; super simple since I had a few more to make :) I used one of my favorite TCP stamps - the "Skiing Snowglobe" stamp :) Look how much fun Sprinkle is having skiing down that hill!

Who's That Girl? Challenge

Here's my card for this week's Who's That Girl? challenge on the MFT forum of Splitcoast Stampers. This week Laura and I are challenging you to use your MFT stamps along with the color combo of blue, brown and white. If you play along, upload your creation to the Splitcoast gallery by midnight on Wednesday 17th with the keyword MFTWTG14 - you could be entered into a random drawing for a MFT store certificate :) For my card, I used this week's featured set, "Call Me". The patterned paper is by Deja Views.

I had a very productive shopping day yesterday; I am done with all my shopping! Yeah! I can't say the same for my hubby though...he and Jamie are heading down the hill to do some shopping today before Jamie goes to his friend's birthday party.

We also got several inches of snow last night - but the big weather story this weekend is the temperature! Our high today is only expected to be 14 degrees! BRRRRRRR! Sounds like a good day to stay home and stamp - okay, okay, after I finish some school work.... :) Have an awesome Sunday!

Winter Wishes

I was running a little short on holiday cards as I was writing them out this week, and made a few of this simple card to send to friends and relatives in Scotland. The image and sentiment are by Hero Arts :)

What are your weekend plans? I have to finish up some holiday shopping, Jamie is going to a birthday party, and I need to clean my house! This evening Iain and I are going to the holiday party for the staff at the school where I work - I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone and being able to chat for longer than the few minutes we usually get! Whatever you're up to, have a terrific weekend!

Holiday photo 2008

I know, it's a bit blurry of Jamie, but I just LOVE the kids' facial expressions on this one (I took about a dozen). It's the one that is the most "them" :)

TCP Tuesday - Color Challenge

Hi everyone, it's TCP Tuesday and this week Jen is hosting the color challenge. What a fun color combo she has chosen - red, dark green and sky blue. If you're going to play along with us this week, leave a comment on Jen's blog with a link to your creation - and your card will be featured in Alma's "Holey Moley Monday" slideshow next week :)

A beautiful morning!

Simple birdie card

I'm sitting here watching the snow fall outside; we have about 6" so far, and it's still coming down. It's absolutely gorgeous out there, especially right now when it is all smooth with no footprints or car tire tracks on it. The kiddos have their fingers crossed for a snow day tomorrow :)

Iain's on his flight from Washington, D.C. back to Denver right now, but I'm not sure if he'll make it back to the house tonight. I told him if the weather's bad just to stay at a hotel near the airport and then drive home in the morning when the roads will have been cleared a little more.

This is a super-simple card made with a bird stamp from Hero Arts, some bling from Prima (I think!) and some Nestabilities dies :) I've made a bunch of these to mail to our friends and relatives in the U.K. this holiday season. And thank you to those who emailed me for a holiday card; if you'd like one from me this year (and I'd love to mail some to my blogging friends), please drop me a note at toners@wispertel.net

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It will certainly be cold here later today; we are expecting a snowstorm to pass through here this afternoon and this evening. Fortunately the snow from last week's storm has melted, making some room for the 6 to 12 inches of snow that we might get from this one :)

Today's card is a dual-purpose card! It is one of the cards that we made at the class at my house on Saturday, and it's also my card for the "Who's That Girl?" stamp challenge on the MFT forum at Splitcoast Stampers. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is the featured set for this week. The patterned paper is from the "Glitzmas" line by SEI, and I colored the image with colored pencils, then blended the colors with odorless mineral spirits.

Happy Monday! Have a great week :)

Play along!

I found these questions on Jayne's blog. Play along if you'd like and post your answers on your blog!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial - I have 4 cats and there's no way a real one would last :)
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually Thanksgiving weekend
4. When do you take the tree down? Before New Year
5. Do you like Egg Nog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember being really excited when I received a doll's house one year
7. Hardest person to buy for? My hubby!
8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail - always!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My first bra - from my dad! Ugh! I still cringe when I think of that!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Scrooge (the musical version with Albert Finney as Scrooge)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When the mood strikes
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? See's mint truffles :)
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, it's pre-lit!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bell Rock
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Always stay home on Christmas Day - it's the kids' day.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Actually - no!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Nothing this year - our tree topper got broken last year (cats again!) and I need to buy a new one!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Everything on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds and cranky people.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We don't have a theme - but what's cool about our tree is that it is just that - ours! It has a whole mix of ornaments from past and present, each with its own story.
24 . Favorite for Christmas dinner? Whatever takes our fancy that particular year!
25 . What do you want for Christmas this year? Still haven't thought of anything specific! It's driving my hubby up the wall :)

3 Peeps December challenge :)

Here's my card for this month's 3 Peeps Challenge. For December, Karrie, Linda and I challenged each other to make a card that includes the following:

* The colors pink, brown and white
* Stitching or faux stitching
* Felt embellishments

I used the "Party Hat" image from The Cat's Pajamas, and patterned paper by Die Cuts with a View. The flower embellishments are made of felt :)

Friday fill-in...

Here's a fun idea that I found through a link on Jill's blog. Every Friday there are sentences posted for you to fill in and post on your blog. Here's the one for this week (I know, I'm a couple of days late...):

1. Snow is beautiful!
2. I'm looking forward to our winter break - 2 weeks off school for the kids and me.
3. Earl Grey is the best tea ever!
4. One of my favorite old TV shows is Roseanne :)
5. I'm done with scraping ice off my car with a credit card (that's what I get for forgetting to put the proper scraper in my car this week).
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is watching the kids enjoy the season.
7. And as for the weekend, I'm looking forward to my stamping class. Tomorrow my plans include shopping for Nattie, and on Sunday I want to relax!

Holiday card, anyone?

I'd love to send my blogging friends a holiday card this year :) If you'd like one, please send me an email with your name and address. My email is toners@wispertel.net :)

Great class!

I held my FUNraiser class for the school yesterday and it was a great success! The ladies all loved the projects that we made, and I even sold out of the extra kits that I had prepared too! I will be donating 75% of the total sales back to our PTA, which will be a nice chunk of change between the class fees and my additional sales. Thank you, ladies!!

I picked up Sue on Friday night; she got the bus straight from work to the stop at Aspen Park, about 20 mins from my house. We went and picked up pizza for dinner before heading back to the house. It was cool that she was able to sleep over and participate in the class the next day :)

After the class, we headed down the mountain. We had dinner at Applebee's and then went to Kohl's to pick up some jeans for Nattie - why do those kids just keep on growing? What's with that? :)

What are your plans for today? The kids and I are staying home and won't be going anywhere except out to walk Tasha this afternoon. I have some cards to make for some challenges this week, as well as a paper that's due tomorrow night for school. Have an AWESOME Sunday!

Snow! And the latest news...

It's snowing here right now; just light snow for the moment but we're expecting it to get heavier this afternoon. Driving in the snow is not one of my favorite things to do, so hopefully it'll stay light until I get home from work in the early afternoon :) Some of the forecasts are saying we could get between 5 and 10 inches of snow with this storm.

Iain left this morning to fly back to Scotland; he'll be back on Monday. In the meantime, I have lots of pre-cutting to do for my FUNraiser class on Saturday! My good friend Sue is coming here straight from work on Friday and will sleep over so that she can be here for the class :)

Another piece of fun news: my fellow TCP DT member (and super all-around gal) Karrie made it on to the design team for Odd Bird Planet! GO KARRIE! I know that she has been a huge fan of OBP for a long time and I love it when people then get to work even more with the products that they love :) Congrats!!!

TCP Tuesday

Thank you for all the kind words about my new space! I wish I could have all my blogging friends over for a mega crafting session! Janet was asking how I keep our 4 cats off the ribbon that hangs on the wall - the answer is that I don't! They will often come down and try and grab the longest pieces...but a cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do, right? :)

Today is TCP Tuesday - this week Jen has an inspiration challenge for us - she has a fun holiday photo and all the details for this week's challenge posted on her blog. You'll see that the inspiration I got from it was the arrangement of the pieces...because my TCP Tuesday piece this week is a pile of ATCs I finished up for a swap! The stamp is called "Tree With Leaves"; I stamped it with green pigment ink and then heat-embossed it for a little shine. Then I used my Nesties to cut out the oval and the scalloped oval. The little dots around the edges are silver Stickles. The "Celebrate the Season" sentiment is also from TCP. Have a terrific Tuesday!

I finally posted some photos...

of my new space down in the basement :) I love it! I've actually changed it around a little since I took the photos, but you get the general idea, right? The kids are really enjoying it too; the three of us can create together down there, but we're not all on top of each other like we were when I was in the room upstairs (now our guest room). This coming Saturday I'll be holding my card class here - this is the one I'm holding as a fundraiser for our school's PTA. It's a full class - there are 10 AWESOME ladies signed up and I hope they have a great time!

I started putting the class packs together today...and I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Alma of The Cat's Pajamas and Kim of My Favorite Things - they each donated all the stamps for this class! As a result, I'm able to donate 75% of the cost of the class to our PTA :) How cool is that???

How was the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend? We spent our time finishing up the basement, putting up our Christmas tree and decorations (inside: me; outside: DH), and generally just hanging out together. It was great having Iain home and off work for such a long period of time :) This week he's flying to Scotland on Thursday; he'll be back next Monday. He's going to visit his mum - she's in her 80s and so even if we can't afford for the 4 of us to fly back every year, we figured it would still be nice for him to take a short trip over and spend a few days with his mum and sister in Gourock. The kids and I have a list of goodies for him to bring back for us...

Have a great week!