Life Gets in the Way!

Well can you imagine being too busy to blog?  Glad to be back and I'll try to keep up to date. 

So maybe you'd like to know what I've been up to?  Since I last posted I've started doing craft shows again - 3 last fall and did ok considering the economy.   I mostly do jewerly with a few other items thrown in just so I don't get in a rut. 

I've quit working and joined the West Branch Creative Arts Society and have placed several items in the Gift Shop so stop on in sometime to check things out!  They are located across from City Hall on North Fourth Street.

And, I joined the Red Hat Society!!! A great group of women who just want to have fun!  What kind of fun?  We go to lunch, of course, and go to plays and shopping and travel - whatever our hearts delight!!!  Mostly we enjoy the company of each other.  And, this gives me another outlet for gifting some of my crafty items - a girl can only have so many things in the craft and then the room overflows!!

Check back soon and we'll chat!

February Is Here

Hard to believe that we are already into February of 2011!  I'm finally settling into the new year and getting into my cardmaking for Valentines!   Lots of pretty cards to make and mail - hope you enjoy some of these that I've posted. 

All Things Cricut * - Hints and Design Pointers

HINTS AND DESIGN POINTERS - Just get started!  For those of us that are craft challenged knowing where to start can be a big problem - personally, I begin the design process by identifying what or who I'm making the card (or gift) for and then identify the color(s) I want to use.  Sometimes a particular piece of paper will get me started on the design.  Either way, don't worry it will come together.

This month I'll be posting the design process for a Valentine's card for my husband - ever make a masculine Valentine card?   Plans are to utilize my Cricut for a majority of the card design - check back to see how it comes together.


*For those not familiar with Cricut, Cricut is a die-cutting machine that cuts shapes and designs from paper, fabric, thin sheets of metal and other media.   Basically, it utilizes various cartridges which have fonts and shapes - you select the ones you want to use and it cuts them for you.

Design Studio (DS) is software which allows you to create and save designs and cut at your leasure.  Personally, I have DS loaded on my laptop and I design while watching TV from my big comfy recliner!  Then, when I'm ready to cut and put my cards together I just take my laptop to the craft room, plug it in and go!  Ah, life is good:o)

My Christmas Check List and Stuff

My "to do" list is getting smaller as the days grow shorter to Christmas!  I'm happy to say that all I have left to do is wrap a few gifts and bake my pies to go along with the assorted cookies I've already baked.  Dear Husband has requested an apple crumb pie, we'll have the traditional pumpkin pie and maybe a cherry pie - we are a family of pie lovers! 

I know its hard to believe! but I've never made an apple crumb pie so this will be fun - love new recipes!  I'm using a recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/ - voted 4.5 out of 5.  I'll let you know how it turns out. 

In case I don't post again before Christmas - Have a Merry Christmas and let's meet back here in the New Year!

Christmas is for Kids (and kids at heart:o)

This afternoon I'll be attending a Cookie Party to benefit disadvantage children.  This is my 3 year attending and I have to say its been fun.  In addition to picking up some delicious homemade cookies, there's an auction to raise additional funds for the kids.  It's a good opportunity to purchase some holiday gifts and visit with friends - not to mention the great snacks available for munching:o)  Can you think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon?

Small Opportunities - The Auction!

The Community Support Auction was a great success - they brought in over $2,000 for the charity.  I'm doing the happy dance - the cards I donated went for $45.00 at auction! 

The Lights Are Up!

Well, the Christmas season is off to a good start.  With the help of my son, my outside Christmas lights and decorations are complete!!  Hubby set up the Christmas tree and its ready for me to decorate.  The little Christmas villages are looking good along with my usual snowmen and Santa decorations.  My favorite part of Christmas - decorations!  What's your favorite?

Yummyness!

Its almost Thanksgiving and I've just finished my baking!  Yummy pumpkin pies!  Finished the yams - brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and pecans with just a bit of butter - delish!  I don't even care about mashed potatoes, do you?

Our family is here and we've all settled in for the next couple of days - eating, movies and decorating for Christmas. 

I hope everyone has the holiday of your choosing!  Enjoy!

Butterfly tree and other great ideas

These are some of the cards we created in class tonight - lots of fun and several beautiful cards too!

Card Class

Tomorrow is Tuesday so it must be Card Class!  Can't wait to see what new techniques we'll learn.  I'll let you know tomorrow:o)