Christmas Cookies

I baked a bunch of cookies but most are just regular cookies like the Hungarian Cookies with the fillings. I only made one batch of them this year since I made these but next year I will be making more since everyone seems to like them and as Mark pointed out, he only has them once a year. Next year I will be able to send him home with some to enjoy. I also made Anise Cookies since Christina likes them. Also what you don't see are these Chocolate Balls made with Cream Cheese and Oreo Cookies and of course Chocolate. They sort of sound horrible but they are so good. I will be making them again for sure. They are really easy and would be great to bring to a party. If I ever make these mice again I will be using that recipe instead of the one for the mice which is close only the mice are made with the chocolate inside with sour cream and Oreo Cookies. You have to refrigerate them and boy it is like a brick when you try to take it out and mold it into mice. The other one will be so much easier and it tastes better too.

Merry Christmas!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I pray you have lots of good food and are surrounded by friends and family to share this joyous day.

I was so busy lately I didn't even realize that we had a White Christmas finally. Nothing like what is out west but just a light coating to make everything look pretty and white.

So my dear friend, go enjoy your Christmas and I will post more later.

Merry Christmas!!!

World ending today..

So the world is supposed to be ending today? 
No can't be- I have too many unanswered questions. I still need to know who let the dogs out, the way to get to Sesame Street, why Dora doesn't just use Google maps. I am curious as to why I have never seen the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery", or why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed. Am I the only one that thinks "abbreviated" is such a long word? or why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor yet dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons? Why do they sterilize the needle for a lethal injection and why do you have to "put your two cents in" but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra money going ? And why exactly did Joanie love Chachi? If a deaf person has to go to court is it still called a hearing? Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane legally? Does the alphabet song and twinkle twinkle little star have the same tune? (I know you just tried to sing those two songs). Just what is Victoria's secret? and who is Carmen San Diago and why are we looking for him? You see, the world just has to keep going. I have too much left to learn. I really am this witty, but I am smart too. That is why I stole this from a friend, who stole from a friend, who stole from a friend, ....etc. LOL

Send a Condolence Cards to Newtown

The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box to allow the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT last week.

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

“We understand that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the Newtown area and we hope to make it easier for those who wish to send encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected,” said Kimberly J. Peters, Connecticut Valley District Manager for the U.S. Postal Service, adding, “Through letters and cards, families will be able to hold that friendship in their hands and to read those kind words at a time and place that supports their pace of healing.”

Request From Sandy Hook, CT

We are the teachers who grew up in Newtown and we are asking you to lend a hand.

All teachers know that the first thing a child must have in order to learn is a sense of safety and security.  On December 14th the students, teachers, staff and families of Sandy Hook school had their sense of security shattered.  In the next few days and weeks Sandy Hook students and staff will be settling in to a school building in Monroe, CT.  We're asking you to help restore their sense of security by asking your students to lend a hand.

Here's how...

1.  Gather up some regular old computer paper or card stock in either white or light green and some finger paint.
2.  Let each of your students put their hand print on a sheet and decorate it however they wish.
3.  Ask each student to add their name, city or town and school.
4.  Collect all the handprint pages and send them to the address below.
5.  Once the helping hands are collected our team of volunteers will string them together and hang them in the halls of the new school facility pending district approval.
6.  A poster explaining our mission will be hung unobtrusively at the entrance to the school also pending district approval.

The message will be simple:  You are not alone.  Your are loved.  You are safe.

Please join us!
If you live near Newtown just leave a message in the blog and we'll pick up your helping hands.
If you're far, please mail your helping hands.

Helping Hands
c/o L. Mazzariello
69 Osborne Hill Rd.
Sandy Hook, CT
06482

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT

By now the whole country has heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The names of the victims were released and I thought I would post them here for you to see and hopefully keep in your prayers. (This is a copy from our local news station WTNH.)

I know my heart breaks for these people especially the children but we also need to remember 6 adults have lost their lives too. Many of them protecting the children from what reports I heard. (Actually, 7 counting the gun man's mother who was his first victim.) Please remember them in your prayers too.

This is suppose to be a joyous time of year especially for children. Yet instead of spending this time sneaking out to buy Christmas presents for their children, 20 families are spending their time planning funerals for them.

Victims of the Newtown school shooting

Updated: Saturday, 15 Dec 2012, 6:04 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 15 Dec 2012, 7:26 AM EST

(WTNH) -- Here are the names of the children and adults killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newtown Dec. 14, 2012.

Children (8 boys and 12 girls)

• Charlotte Bacon, 6
• Daniel Barden, 7
• Olivia Engel, 6
• Josephine Gay, 7
• Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
• Dylan Hockley, 6
• Madeline Hsu, 6
• Catherine Hubbard, 6
• Chase Kowalski, 7
• Jesse Lewis, 6
• James Mattioli, 6
• Grace McDonnell, 7
• Emilie Parker, 6
• Jack Pinto, 6
• Noah Pozner, 6
• Caroline Previdi, 6
• Jessica Rekos, 6
• Avielle Richman, 6
• Benjamin Wheeler, 6
• Allison Wyatt, 6

Adults

• Rachel Davino, 29
• Anne Marie Murphy, 52
• Lauren Russeau, 30
• Mary Sherlach, 56
• Victoria Soto, 27
• Dawn Hocksprung, 47

Not on the released list:

• Nancy Lanza, mother of the gunman

Thanksgiving 2 Page Layout 2012

Here is the Thanksgiving Layout I did for Liftateers. I just love how this turned out. I also love the software program I have for my pictures. Lets face it, if you start with messy pictures then you are not going to be happy with the layout no matter how much work you did on it. I am still using Photoshop Elements 10, I know they already came out with 11 but I am still learning 10. I haven't even used all the features on this yet (don't forget prior to 10 which I got a few months ago I was using 5). Any ways, I love having the ability to take out the "clutter' in the photo that distracts from the photo especially photos like this where your in a public place and you know it never fails that once you start to take a picture someone has to either be in the way or ends up in the background or even worse...parts of someone is there like one arm...LOL.

The Diva!

Here is a page I did of my granddaughter Samantha. This photo screamed Diva loud and clear to me.

My Li'l Princess

A page I did of my Granddaughter when she was 2 months old. This is the granddaughter I never met. 

Pinterest Challenge 002 - Using Arrows

This is my entry for the Fiskateers site Pinterest Challenge 002 -  using arrows.
Damien had his first taste of baby food meat. Up until now he only had fruits and veggies. He is eating Beef so I call this page, "Where is the Beef?".

This is called Notions Quick Page and it is by Amy Teets Designs. I used My Memories Suite to do it.

Burt's Bees, What's the Buzz?

As winter approaches so does some unwanted side effects....the dreaded dry, winter skin. I can't even begin to tell you the amount of money I spent in the past on all kinds of creams and liquids that are suppose to do everything from replacing the moisture in my skin to making fine lines and wrinkles disappear. Did it work? No. Either it didn't work or it didn't feel right on my skin (to greasy or heavy) or it made my skin peel. Point is, I never found a product I liked that I can use and it does what it claims it does.

The best I did in my years of searching was that I found a lip balm that I liked, this one don't feel waxy, and it works. What is it? It is Lip Balm called Ultra Conditioning by Burt's Bees. I love the stuff! Now Burt's Bees has tons of different lip balms, some even are tinted but I can't tell you anything about them because I only use this one.

Recently the opportunity came up for me to try some of Burt's Bees facial products since I am a BuzzAgent and I jumped on the chance.What is better than being able to try a product from a company I already love (for their lip balm)....for free? I can't think of any and to be perfectly honest with you, I wouldn't have tried it otherwise. I wasn't going to spend another dollar on products that I can't use and end up throwing away in this tight economy when I have to watch every cent. If you are familiar with Burt's Bees then you know it isn't exactly cheap. Now don't get me wrong, if the products worked then it is worth every cent and I don't mind paying the price but I certainly wouldn't want to spend that amount of money to try something that I may not be able to use it on my sensitive skin so this was just perfect for me.

I was sent the Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser, Night Cream, Treatment Mask, and trail sizes of Day Lotion and Night Cream along with some coupons for $3.00 off to share with family and friends. So now it is only a matter of "me" time to begin my skin journey.

Did you know that Bert's Bees is 99.0% Natural? Did you know they don't test on animals? Did you know that the new Intense Hydration line is made with Clary Sage which was chosen because of its ability to retain moisture? (plus it smells good!) Learn more about this eco-freindly company and their products, Burt's Bees.

Nov. 11th

Finally I am taking time for me and started with the Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser. 

Direction are much like any facial cleaner, wet face and apply the cleanser with your fingertips or washcloth, massaging gently, don't get it into your eyes and rinse thoroughly. No surprises there. 

My observation is that this is indeed a cream, not one of those cleansers (maybe they call them scrubs?) that feel like there is sand mixed in it and when you are done with your face it is scratched and irritated so bad it feels like you just went through several plates of a glass window face first. This is a very light creamy lotion and I can't be sure if the soft soothing feel or the pleasant smell is what I first noticed. It felt good and creamy going on and rinsed off clean without a residue or leaving my skin with a unclean feeling. 

I followed with the Intense Hydration Treatment Mask. 

Again, easy directions; apply a thick coating on face and neck avoiding eyes, leave on for 5-10 mins., wipe off with a tissue and massage remaining product into skin. 

My observation is that the mask has the same great smell as the cleaner but it feels different. Although it is a cream it seems to have a waxy substance in it. (Maybe this is where Burt's bees come in to play...beeswax?) It feels heavier than the cleanser and leaves a residue. Of course I am wiping it off with a tissue not washing it off with water so it stands to reason that there would still be some product on my skin which would account for this feeling of a residue. Even though I massaged into my skin I still  feel what I only can describe as a thin sheet of 'something' on my skin. It feels waxy...but not exactly, oily....but not exactly, silky....but not exactly. I can't really describe it as I know nothing that really feels like it to compare it to where I can say, it feels like this or it feels like that, all I know is I can't see it but I can feel  something on my skin. 

Bedtime so I used the Intense Hydration Night Cream.

Directions can't be any easier, use nightly after the Intense Hydration Cream  Cleanser. Smooth over face and neck. 

My observation is that the night cream also has that same great smell and it is indeed a cream. It is like the mask in that it is with some sort of waxy substance in it although not as much as the mask. It also seems to leave that residue feeling on my skin but again, not as much as the mask. 

Nov. 12th

Starting my day so no time for fussing, washed up and put on Intense Hydration Day Lotion. 

Directions are same as the night cream. 

My observation was the day lotion was lighter than the night cream with that same pleasant smell. I swear my skin looked more alive. It is like a dull hue was washed off my skin but maybe it is wishful thinking on my part or the fact that the temp. is almost 70 degrees and the sun is out. 

Nighttime routine, wash with the cleanser and put on night cream. 

Nov. 13th

It is a dull rainy day yet I continue my routine morning and night.

I am not crazy, my skin does look better....more alive! Your remember that residue feeling I kept talking about? Well, it is still there but it is a fresh feeling  almost like the way your mouth feels when you suck on a peppermint. 

Nov. 14th

Continued my routine of washing with the cleanser and using either the day or night cream. Could it be my imagination but the cream don't seem to feel like there is any kind of residue? Maybe my skin was just so bad it took time to work? I know I like the way my skin looks and feels now.

Have you ever had a little itch and lightly scratch it just to find you now have these white flaky trails right where you scratched? That is how my face was but not so much any more. I am loving the way it looks now.

Nov.15th

I continued my routine but also used the Treatment Mask. It says to use it 1-2 times a week and since I am just starting my routine I figured I would use it twice this week.

Remember when I said my skin feel like the way your mouth does after eating a peppermint? That is the way my face feels when the mask is on. It is hard to explain but it tingles and feels cool but hot at the same time. I know, that don't make sense. You really need to try it and experience it. Any ways, it isn't a bad feeling, it feels good actually and it doesn't bother my eyes either.

In the past I have tried different creams and lotions and even though I put it on my face, my eyes would burn and tear. I didn't get any in my eyes, it is just from the vapor or whatever the cream was giving off that was getting into my eyes. This does not do that. Although I have it close to my eyes, there is no eye discomfort at all.

I still feel the residue when I wipe it off. (Remember, you put a thick coat on and 5 - 19 mins. later you wipe it off with a tissue so you are not washing this off your face.) It isn't like it is uncomfortable nor does it feel like my face will crack if I open my mouth but if I touch my face I can feel 'something'. I want to say it is a wax-like feeling and not a thick one, just a light coating of it.

Nov. 16th

Continued with the routine of cleanser and creams.

Nov. 17th

Continue with the routine.

Nov.18th

A week has gone by from when I first started using the product so now for some of my conclusions.

The cleanser does work and I love the way it smells and makes my skin feel.

I do not know if that mask is really doing anything but it may be moisturizing too. I still feel that 'wax' film but it is not something that is uncomfortable and if I wasn't purposely concentrating on how my skin feels I may not even notice it.

Both the day lotion and night cream moisturize. They both smell good and do not bother my eyes. I also think the night cream is heavier than the day lotion with a slight wax feel to it. Again, this is not something that is bothersome and some might not even notice it.

My skin does look better. I notice the difference myself but as far as ridding any kind of 'fine lines and wrinkles', that I didn't notice. I still think I have all I started with but that is ok. I earned every single one of them and wear them as a badge of my life's work along with every grey hair I have.

So short and sweet, if you're looking for a good cream for moisturizing and caring for your face then I would definitely give Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Line a try, even if you have sensitive skin. I know I will be continuing to use these. I am also going to try some more of them that I see on their website but never seen in Walmart such as their hair care products, body wash and lotion, feet care. I want it all!

The Brightest Star in My Sky

This is a page I did for Liftateers. 

I used some Fiskars Stamps and the Stamp Press to do it. I also used SCAL, my Cricut, and a whole lot of Stickles. There are a few star shaped brads and I used a white pen to draw each star in the background  let it dry then go over it in Stickles. I also used my Copics to color the bear (Stampin Up Stamp) and the star he is holding is from some cheap box set I got years ago after Christmas. I think I paid $3 and there is something like 12 little stamps in it with tiny ink pads. I am sure you know the kind....but hey, it worked. The only thing I didn't do is put the Stickles on the big star. I was going to put it just on the edges so it looks like it is glowing but I learned from experience not to do this and then expect to get a good picture. It won't happen. So before I go to bed I will put some Stickles around that star and it will be complete.

Welcome to the Scrapbook Place Fall Blog Hop-iversary

Welcome to the ScrapbookPlace Fall Blog Hop-iversary!  If you have arrived from Pammie's blog, you are right on track. If you are just happening by, you will want to start at the beginning at the ScrapbookPlace blog. 

Fall is here in full force – crisp, cool air, leaves on the ground, Halloween has come and gone.  What a beautiful time of year!  Well, ok....it would have been if the Superstorm didn't rip all the leaves from the trees (see posts below) and as I write this I didn't have an early Nor'easter that put at least 8" of snow down for us to shovel. Calendar wise though, it is fall....a very beautiful time in New England. 

A Hop-iversary you say… You’ve never heard of a hop-iversary.  Well let me tell you what it’s all about.  Not only are we celebrating fall BUT we are also celebrating the seven, yes SEVEN, years that ScrapbookPlace has been on the net.  In seven years, we've made lots of friends and shared lots of memories.  More importantly, we shared our passion – paper crafting!  You want to join us, click here.  

We have a wonderful sponsor for our hop, Floppy Latte Digital Designs! 

The images used in the creations you see in the hop today are from FLDD.  Check out the site, they have great digi images and great deals!  Run on over to Floppy’s blog and leave her some love too when the hop is over! 

For my project I used used the digi "Fall Lamppost". I was loving the first of Tom Holtz's  "12 Tags of November" and thought I could combine the two to make a fall tag. Although I used the same technique as Tim used to make the tag I had a few extra steps to take so I could use the digi stamp. 

First I had to bring the digi into my photo program and size it, I also colored it there and gave it a sort of yellow/gold background. I printed it on a piece of Georgia-Pacific Cardstock. Then I cut it to the size of my tag and used Scotch Quick Dry Glue to glue it onto the tag and trimmed any overhanging edges. I used my Copic Marker E81 to color the sign as I didn't want it snow white but rather a tad bit darker and with an old/aged look since the lamp post reminds me of the ones I saw in the past. I then covered the complete sign with clear embossing powder. From this point I did exactly what Tim Holtz did for his tag except I didn't use the stamps he used. I won't repeat it all since you can go to his site and see his tutorial complete with photos. (Tim Holtz's12 Tags of November).

Leave some love at each blog and the main blog and you will be put in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Floppy Latte Digital Designs!    

Now hop on over to Joyce's blog.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you get lost along the way, here is the order:

 ScrapbookPlace blog:  http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.com/

Linda:  http://scrappingheaven.blogspot.com

Judy:   http://dragonhomer.blogspot.com/

Pammie:   Http://PammiesCraftRoom.blogspot.com/

Sue S:   http://sueinct.blogspot.com

Joyce G:   www.joycewashere.blogspot.com

Teresa :   www.teresasscrappinspot.blogspot.com

Carolyn :   http://luvmycards.blogspot.com

Karissa :   http://livelaughlovescrapbookstamp.blogspot.com/

Melissa :  http://melissa-thoughtsonpaper.blogspot.com/

ScrapbookPlace blog:  http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.com/

Fall 2012 or Lack Of

We really didn't have much of a fall this year. The leaves changed but I never got out to enjoy it. Finally my husband had a day off so we were going to go for a ride but Superstorm Sandy was coming to town so we spent the day getting gas, starting the generator, and shopping for food since we didn't do our weekly food shopping yet. Sandy took care of all the leaves that didn't fall so at this point, there was no 'leaf peeping' for me. Now here it is just over a week from Sandy and we have another Nor'easter which brought us snow. It was snowing here all day and I guess there is maybe 6" or so. Despite the unfortunate weather, work schedules and allergies, some things even they can't change such as certain dishes we tend to make in fall....only, not everyone will quite agree they are worth making again.

Now that I have a new desktop I loaded the "My Memories" software into it and made this cute page. I just love it. I am so behind in the news and updates that the software can do so I am working on catching up with that. It is simple to learn and the forums are great. I just love the tutorials plus someone is always willing to help answer a question too. I will be offering more giveaways of this software soon. I know most people won't buy it but if they won it for free they are more apt to try it out and use it. Even if you don't want to use it for your own scrapbook, it is a great way to do pages to post online for friends and family to see.

Sandy - This Superstorm is A Perfect Storm

Ever see "The Perfect Storm" about the Andrea Gail caught in the storm of 1991? Back then they said it was a once in a lifetime event yet Sandy was another Perfect Storm. I guess I am on lifetime #2. I only did a layout of CT (Liftateers) although it really does not come close to the destruction statewide. Yet, we were lucky....much luckier than NY and NJ. My heart goes out to all those people.

To add insult to injury, we are expecting another Nor'easter.

Fall Birthday Card

I colored it with my Copic Markers.

Hurricane Sandy 10/29/12

Hurricane Sandy is approaching and although she is still out over the ocean the conditions here are not good. I can't believe they raised the wind speeds overnight, usually they lower them whether it is a snow storm or rain storm. I go to bed and the news will say something like 4" of rain and when I wake up they say 2" of rain. Not this time, it went up and not the rain but the wind. I went to bed with the news saying to expect 80mph wind speeds and I wake up to them saying to expect 90 mph wind speed later on tonight.  There are already over 2,000 without power and as I said, the hurricane isn't even here yet.

You know what is odd about this storm? The timing of it. If you remember last year at this time we had another storm and lost power. (That is why I have a generator now, not going through that with no generator). One year ago, to the day, we had Storm Albert which crippled the state for days and we were without power for a few days. This year we have Sandy. Well, at least they can't say the east coast is guilty of sexual discrimination when it comes to our storms! LOL

I just pray everyone up and down the coast stays safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as we go through this and I hope to see you at the other end. It will be a rough few days but we can do it...just stay safe.

Welcome to the Orange Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Third Annual Fiskateers ORANGE Blog Hop!  If you're hopping along, you should have come from Debby #2852.  (If you are joining us in the middle, go to www.fiskateers.com to start from the beginning.)  

Today we are celebrating Fiskars' signature color, ORANGE.  Almost everyone is familiar with Fiskars' famous orange-handled scissors, but Fiskars makes so many other wonderful products for crafting, sewing, gardening, and more.  Each stop along our Hop will feature different Fiskars' products with a big helping of ORANGE!  

Here is Happy 10,000 (Fiskateers have over 10,000 members!) I made with just a few of the Fiskars products for crafting, sewing, and gardening. 

For my project I made a fall Fisk-a-day Day Card and of course used lots of ORANGE. 

I Know this picture is really bad and I apologize but my house just does not have any good lighting and I couldn't get directly over it so I had some Keystone Distortion which I tried to correct in my photo program. I found out the hard way that you can not use that on a card. Why? Look at the left side of the card (right side does it also but not as bad because of where I was standing) not the ORANGE but the BLACK and see how in the middle it like pulls in. Almost looks like it was cut curved inward in the middle. I assure you it is not really cut that way and the card is actually laying flat and the sides are really straight. I need to work on my lighting in here. (Hey, bet you didn't think you were going to get a lesson in photo editing and what NOT to do....LOL)

I started by cutting a card base out of ORANGE paper and then I took a piece of Glossy Paper not photo paper because that won't work, I know....I tried. I really don't know the name of it (my guess is "Glossy Paper") but the only place I can get it is from Stampin Up. I had a stamp of the background trees which I stamped on using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. Then I took out my Fiskars Cloud Punch and punched 5 of them. I used these as a mask. Then I used a makeup sponge and blotted Stampin Up Marina Mist Ink at the top, Cherry Cobbler and Daffodil Delight in the sky and paid special attention to make sure I did the clouds well. I used Crumb Cake for the ground. Once that was done I took the clouds off and cleaned off the glue. Then I used my Copic Markers to give the clouds some depth and highlights. I also used them to add the color to the colored leaves that fell off the trees and some grass on top of the ground. Then I used my Fiskars Tree Punch and punched 2 trees which I put through my Fiskars Crimper. I used my Copic Markers to color this tree brown and glue dots and stuck the two trees together and then glued it on my card. 

I used some Creative Paperclay and made a leaf pile that goes around the trunk of the tree. Once it dried I glued it down with Glossy Accents and I used the Copics to give the leaf pile color. At this point I matted it on black and glued it to my card base. I then used my Fiskars Nutty Border Punch on white paper which I colored brown with the Copics. This is so I could use the 'debre' acorns in the leaf pile. I glued them down with Glossy Accents also. (I also used it on black paper which went on the bottom of the card.) I cut out a rake (I know it looks like a shovel but it is suppose to be a rake) and glued it on the leaf pile in a way to look like someone leaned it against the tree and it fell onto the leaves.

I glued down my bottom border, used the computer for the sentiments and then used a couple of small, detailed plant-type stamps with Memento Cottage Ivy Ink (used scrap paper so no ink went where I didn't want it) on each side of the leaf pile.

Here is one more look at it. 

For more information about Fiskars and the Fiskateer program, you can go to http://www.fiskateers.com/join/.   

Now, hop along to the next stop!  Jean #8889 .

In case you get lost along the way the line-up is:

Fiskateers www.fiskateers.com

Cindy #4113 www.cindyderosier.com

Groovy Deb #2644 www.ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com

Jennifer Ashley #6361 www.asecretvintage.blogspot.com

Debby #2852 www.debbysdares.blogspot.com

Sue in CT #6150 www.sueinct.blogspot.com -----------(You are here)

Jean #8889 www.ez3dpopups.blogspot.com

Emily K #7021 http://emily.kincke.com

Divinity #6688 www.scrap-n-patch.blogspot.com

Kellystar #6446 www.kellystarsallthingscrafty.blogspot.com

Maya #351 www.mayadahan.blogspot.com

Michelle #7586 www.scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com

Donna #6036 www.scissorsstampsandscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Pamela #8040 www.cottagebelow.com

Shannon #6394 www.scraplady324.blogspot.com

BerylM #6388 www.berylmorgan.com

Marianne #6701 www.number1aunt.blogspot.com

Judy #5798 www.bepresentbereal.blogspot.com

Shannon #6394 www.scraplady324.blogspot.com

BerylM #6388 www.berylmorgan.com

Marianne #6701 www.number1aunt.blogspot.com

Judy #5798 www.bepresentbereal.blogspot.com

Fiskateers  www.fiskateers.com

The Little Man in My Life

I did this page on the Fiskateers site. We scraplifted a great layout by Heather and it sort of reminded me of a Tim Holtz-like style. (What is that style called anyways? Steampunk? I always call it "Tim Holtz Style".) There is a lot of distress ink and stickles and naturally his stamps and papers including the Kraft Glassine.

This is the little man in my life, my newest grandson, Damien.

Fiskars punches used were "Kaleidoscope" Border and "Love Takes Flight".

Other Fiskars products used were stamps, stamp press, scissors and cutter. 

Aren't these the cutest? It took a lot of trial and error to make them. I knew I wanted baby shoes and of course had none in stamps or even on my Cricut Cartridges so I found a clipart of baby shoes, printed it and cut it out. I used Adirondack "Metallic Acrylic Paint (Copper) as the base coat. Then took a Sharpie pen and drew the details back on the shoes, once it dried I used Glam (Bon Bon) over that, drew the details back, then before it dried completely I finished it off with Glossy Accents but I 'brushed up' parts of it where it would be worn or scuffed. 

The camera is a stamp and I added some Distressed Stickles (Black Soot) and of course Glossy Accents for the lens.

 

 The wings were done with the Bon Bon Glam and the heart is Bronze Ultra Thick Metallic Embossing Powder. 

I stamped the footprint on the Fragment with Vintage Photo Embossing Powder and heated it. Then I blotted the back of the Fragment with Distressed Ink (Frayed Burlap) then I blotted on some 

 Mustard Seed being sure not to get any of this in the center and after that I put just a touch of the Worn Lipstick around the edges of that then I put a couple of drops of the Blending Solution in the center to give it that sort of watermark effect. 

The two chipboard swirls on the sides were done with the same technique on Tim Holtz's site 12 Tags of 2012 October seen here. Just scroll down to step 16 where he is doing the custom colored rock candy distress stickles dry glitter. (Wow, say that 3 times fast!) 

Happy Halloween Card

Here is a card I did for Card Lifters (Fiskateers). I don't remember where I got the SVG from but I totally love the owl. (Ok, so you got me there....I love cards with any animal/nature on it). It is colored with Copics (I used that for lack of a better term. I really just laid down some color, no blending, no shading, no details except slightly on the owl simply because it is night and you wouldn't see any of that on the plants/trees.)

Fiskars Stamp Press and Hats Off Punch was used in the making of this card. 

I Really Love This Card

Here is another card I did for World Card Making Day on the Fiskateer site. I really love the way this card came out. I think it is one of the prettiest cards I made. It was for another challenge that I entered.

World Card Making Day

I am sure everyone knows by now that yesterday was World Card Making Day. I hope you had time to get a card or two done. I was doing the challenges on the Fiskateer site but there are fifteen of them and two of them are making cards of 4. That is a lot of cards! I thought I would share my cards here since I know some of you are not Fiskateers and can't go see them there.

This was done with Copic Markers and Memento Ink. I used the Fiskars Border Punch "Leaves" and a few rhinestones. I also added gold edging on the red paper.

We had to make a card inspired by our favorite song. Can you guess what my favorite song is? Well, one of my favorite anyways. Truth is, I have many favorite songs but this is one of them. If I had a smart phone I could even get the song as ring tones. (Yes, I still don't have a smart phone. I have a dumb phone.)

My Lifted Challenge Page

Here is the page I lifted from a fellow Fiskateer for the challenge I sponsored. 

I am not sure if you can read what my layout says so to make things easier here I go...

"The Miracle of Birth" is the title, then it says,

"I witnessed a birth of another kind
Their first child was born today
The birth of parents...
For before this moment, this mother
and this father did not exist" 

Fiskars products used: Leaves Border Punch, SureCut Paper Cutter, Scissors, Stamp from "Baby" set and Stamp Press.

Update - Busy Time

I seem to never have enough time to get to all the things I want to do lately. I am enjoying my days filled with my grandson. I can't believe he is getting so big so soon. I mean, I know most won't thing 9 lbs 6oz as really big but when he was born he was only 4 lbs 4 oz so to me he now looks huge.

I also have been busy catching up on Card Lifters and Liftateers on the Fiskateer site. I am happy to say I completed them for another year. We just had our Lift Off Challenges and although I did host one, I did not have any time to do any. I was so busy this past weekend that I didn't even get one day of scrapping in.

I am occupied lately with my Copics. I am learning new things and trying new things. I can't believe how much my coloring has improved with just a few hours of practice and directions. I still have a long way to go but at least I am on my way down that road to learning thanks to Suzanne Dean.


Hopefully soon I will be posting my colored images. In the meantime I will be staying busy with my grandson, coloring, and naturally scrapping/card making. I have quite a few to post but I just didn't get around to posting them. My all-in-one died so I can't scan which means pictures and that means I need to get motivated and take the pictures. I will soon. Until then, happy scrappy day all!

So cute card

Here is another Card Lifter card colored with Copic Markers. This is not my stamp so I don't know who makes it but it sure is cute.

Birthday Card Colored with Copic Markers

Dragon Fly Card

Many people ask me what stamp I am using and I have to say, I am not sure what stamp this is. When I go to crops sometimes we switch stamps so I can stamp a few images from someone's stamp and they take a few of mine but I never write the name down. We also do swaps or trades of say 6 of my fairy images for 6 of their bug images. It is a great way to make different cards without having to buy every stamp. I also go to Copic classes and that is where this image is from but I never bother to ask the name of it. Even when she tells us, I forget but hope you like the card.

Met Natalie Metivier last night

Natalie Metivier owner and creative designer of Magenta Stamps came to Treasured Moments (a scrapbook store in Watertown, CT) and we had dinner and made three cards. It was so wonderful to meet her and her husband Philippe. They are such fun loving people and funny. It was interesting to hear how Megenta Stamps started.
Dinner was delicious, we had some sort of french chicken which I can't even say let alone spell but it was very good as was the lasagna. Can't forget about that awesome chocolate cake for dessert either. There was plenty of salad, rolls, some sort of potato dish and steamed broccoli. Everything was fantastic.
Any ways here are some scenes from last night.

Natalie Metivier

Natalie and Philippe

This is bad but I can't remember if this is the Mayor or who he is (I don't live in Watertown) but he is some sort of political figure in Watertown and he stayed and even did some cards. 

Wall of some of her stamps

and now what everyone wants to see....some of her cards

Now I know some have asked to see the three cards we did but I do not have a scanner at the moment (I hated that thing for some time now and it must have known it as it finally went to the point I can't even print any more, nothing works) and my camera is being charged. I should have taken the pictures of them when I did my challenge photos for Fiskateers but completely forgot to take them. I will take them and add them here tomorrow some time so check back tomorrow night.

UPDATE: Here are the 3 cards we did. Sorry about the blurry pictures of the booklet one. I tried to focus on one thing and ended up with a blurry image. I will learn this camera someday.

Card 1 is done with watercolors and distressed ink. 

Card 2 is done with distressed markers and ink.

Card 3 is really a booklet type that closes with a ribbon.

The front when closed.

Front side when opened

back side when opened

The back side when closed

Again, I am sorry for the blurry pictures. The booklet used several different techniques. Did you notice that the ribbon actually goes behind the vase on the backside when close? I thought that was a really neat technique.

And now for my new three stamps.