Promised CHA Pics of Projects...and more!

I felt like a kid in a candy store at the CHA. Never before had I seen so much inspiration in one place! I had already been to a couple of classes offered by specific vendors the day before the official launching of the convention, which only whetted my appetite and heightened anticipation, but when those doors finally opened and the throngs of people dressed in everything from business suits to sweats (!!!) rushed in, my goodness! My eyes couldn't take it all in in one quick glance. I didn't know where to start. So my friend and I started at one end of the convention center and went up and down the aisles repeatedly looking at the booths and what the vendors had to offer. Many booths had Make & Takes so we did as many of those as we could. And here posted are just a sampling of those.

This is the marquis as we got to the Convention Center. Notice the fact that there's no snow? That's right - only sunshine, and lots of it! Notice the palm trees - you don't see THOSE in New York!

This is the first Make & Take we did after entering the "floor." It's a little gift bag that was so simple to make (and take)!

This is actually a card we did in the Spellbinders class. It's supposed to have a bow tied in the corner but I didn't want to use all the extra ribbon (self-centered, I know. But I thought I could use it on another project!). The ribbon is one I'd not seen before so I of course encouraged my friend to buy some for her store! Amazing, soft stuff!

And this is a wooden frame I made at the Provo Craft booth! Since I'm totally into American flags this was right up my alley!!! Did I mention that I won a Cricut machine at that same time? Yep, my number was called so we wasted no time in getting up there to collect! Since my DH got me a Cricut for Christmas, I happily gave my new win to my friend for use in her store. I know, good friends are hard to find!

And this little gem I did at another booth but I can't remember which one. It's a canvas board that we inked and scrapped on. Very, very cute. I'm giving it to my oldest daughter to put pictures of she and her friend (whose a boy) in.

(The generosity is just oozing...)

And this next picture is for you, Debby Boltman! When we went to Hollywood and I saw Johnny Depp's STAR on the Walk of Fame, I had to take a picture of it just for you!

This next picture is actually a card I did in the Spellbinders class too. I'm entering it into the SBS Challenge for this week.

This is another Make & Take from one of the booths. Cute box, huh? I didn't finish embellishing it with flowers, but they're tucked inside for the time when I can manage it.

This is a card I made a few days ago for my niece whose having a birthday this week.

And this is a card for my brother, Steve, whose having a birthday on the 26th.

I have a couple more pictures to share but my computer is really acting up this morning so they must wait til later. I need to get ready to go skiing anyway. Have a blessed day everyone!

Home From California!

Hi Everyone!

I'm home but haven't downloaded (uploaded?) my pics from my camera yet. And now I'm off to a basketball game for my son. Hopefully I'll have some productivity to that end when I return. Who wants to clean the bathrooms anyway? Blogging is so much more fun!!!

I had a fabulous time at the CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) convention though. Wow. Talk about overload of possibilities!!! Kim, since you've been you know perfectly well what I mean. So many options!!! The place just oozed with imagination!

And my extended visit with my family was even more wonderful! What a time we had!

Did I mention the warm weather? Oh yeah - high 70s. Great! I came home to a 70 degree difference. What a reality check when I stepped off that plane!

I promise pics later! Time to hoot & holler for my son!

Anaheim, CA Here I Come!

Hi Everyone! Sorry to "write and run," but I must! I have a zillion things to do yet before I can pack my suitcase for tomorrow's trip! I'm heading west for the CHA which is taking place in Anaheim, California beginning on Saturday, the 24th. My friend, Betty, and I are going together. She owns a little craft and gift shop nearby and I'm attending as her invited guest. Such fun is in the air! I can hardly wait! I will miss my DH and kids terribly, and oh yes, my new li'l pooch (another story...but let's just sum it up to say I went to the mall to buy a new comforter for my bed and came home with a new dog - all 2.3 lbs. of cute, cuddly fur!). Since they all will miss me too the homecoming on February 2nd will be sweet! (I'm staying a few extra days to visit with my family.)

I'll touch base when I return with lots of pictures and an update of all I experienced!

Think of me as I'm enjoying the 80 degree weather and sunshine while many are suffering through those long, cold, dark, snowy and sometimes unbearably cold & frigid temps! (I'm honestly not trying to rub it in.... hehehe).

TaTa!

Happy 2009 to One and All !!!

I know, I know! I still have a Christmas background on my blog when we're a week + into the new year already! In my defense, the "Cutest Little Blog on the Block" website is under construction at the moment so I can't change it til they're "all better." So bear with me please! Or, if you prefer, keep singing those Christmas carols and stay in the holiday spirit!


There's so much I've missed since being on furlough from my stamping world. I have so many blogs to visit and catch up on, not to mention cards to make which I'm already behind on! Looks like I'll be sending "belated greetings" to several family members and loved ones! Today though I can get started as I'm off from work and have nothing but housework and laundry to do - and both can wait!


First let me say that I had the most wonderfully-awesome Christmas ever. My God-given mom (biological father's wife) came to visit from California which was a total surprise to the kids, as expected! They screamed and about fell over when she walked through the front door! It was the best 2 weeks ever. I was sad to send her home on January 1st but we all know that good-byes are never easy. Since I'll be going to California on the 23rd for the CHA in Anaheim, I'll get to hug her neck again real soon.


My DH got me 2 wonderful gifts for Christmas to support me in my stamping habit - a Cricut and some Copic markers! He has a great memory and so my not-so-subtle hints worked!!! Yippee! I've not had any time to play with either but as I said, today's the day!


As to the One Lovely Blog Award, I'd like to thank my SBS sister, Sharon, for giving it to me. She has a fabulous blog too and has been quite busy lately making the most wonderful cards! I always love to check in and see what she's been up to!

And all I have to do is pass the award along to 7 other lovely blogs, so here goes. Be blessed girls!

Roxanne
Kim
Kathy
Becky
Angie
Viv
Judy

Visit each of these blogs, won't you? You won't be disappointed. Now, Becky's been having some health issues so she hasn't posted in awhile. Won't you also offer some encouragement (and most of all, prayer) for her today? We need a quick healing!!!


Love you all!

A Couple of Cards For People at Church.

Some time ago we did this thing at church where we recognized different people for things they did - kind of like an "I Noticed You" award, though we called it, "Servant of the Month." I don't know why or how we got out of the habit but we did, until this month when my DH decided it was time to get back on track and recognize those who make our church life better. This month we honored the lady whose in charge of all the decorating for all the various seasons. She's even the one who picked out the color scheme throughout the building. She does a fabulous job all the time! Our church looks bright and cheery no matter what time of the year it is. So last Sunday we honored her with some flowers and a gift certificate to Olive Garden. This is the card I made to put her gift card in. Very simple, but nice.

This next card is one I did for a young woman, again at church, who just had her first baby, a boy obviously. While the stamp is from SU, the paper stuff is from a gift I ended up with from our church staff & leaders Christmas party last week! We play this silly game where everyone brings an exchange gift...everyone picks a number...then we go number to number either picking a new gift from under the tree or taking someone else's. It's a riot, especially as the "gag gifts" are unwrapped! It's something we look forward to every year and is a game I'm sure you've all played yourself in one variation or another. Anyway, the basket full of stamping goodies is what my hubby ended up with so naturally he gave it to me! The "questioning ("Are you going to give it to me?") and glaring ("You'd BETTER give it to me!") eye" probably clued him in as to my desire to have it! (lol) And in return I very lovingly gave him the binoculars I ended up with...and he didn't have to give me "the eye" at all!

6 more shopping days til Christmas!!! All I have left to buy are a few stocking stuffers for my DH. And tonight I pick up my God-given mom from the airport whose coming in from So. Cal. to be with us for Christmas! It's a total surprise for my kids who have no clue she's coming! We have the video camera ready!!!

SBS #25 Challenge #9 Entry

Here it is! Here it is! I woke up with a start this morning, realizing I hadn't posted my card for the challenge. So even though it's a day late, this is my entry! The stamp set is one from a 99 cent bin at AC Moore. I got another one too (big spender!) that I need to try out now too!

Have a blessed day everybody!

A Few Things to Share!

I have been so very busy of late, I've not had much time to do anything except the necessities! Please forgive me!!! But I did manage to scavange a couple of minutes to show you some of these masterpieces. This first one here is a card I received from my SBS #25 sister, Janet! Isn't it adorable??? It was actually the first Christmas card I received!


This next card is the one I did for my DS who turned 12 on the 6th. He's a VERY active boy who loves all the "fun stuff" in life ~ snowboarding, skateboarding, climbing trees, etc. (you know...the dangerous stuff!) and it's not very often he doesn't sport a scab or fresh cut on at least one of his arms or legs, if not all 4 at once!!! To be honest, the card didn't impress him as much as the presents! But that's to be expected, isn't it? I thought his card was cute though! Don't you just love the sofa?

This last card is just one of about 12 I made for family for Christmas this year, with not one of them being alike! Unfortunately, I had so many packages to box up and mail that I didn't have time to take pictures of them all before I tucked them away in their appropriate boxes and sealed them up for mailing, wihch I also managed to get done today. It feels so good to actually cross something off the ol' To Do List! And to get them out of the dining room where we don't have to trip over them anymore is a bigger thrill!

Okay, now I have to get busy on my SBS #25 entry for Challenge #9 using just scraps! Hmmm...the creative juices need a little jolt here though as I don't feel "in the zone" at the moment! Hopefully I'll not only come up with something but also get the picture taken and it posted!!!

Hope you're all enjoying the season!