to all my crafty friends...

are you checking out Tim Holtz's "12 Tags of Christmas"? He shows a gorgeous tag each day with a tutorial of new techniques to try out. Unbelievable. Check it out at www.timholtz.typepad.com

I'm halfway finished with our Christmas cards...just waiting for photo for the front. Grumpy Patrick didn't feel like taking one at Thanksgiving, but maybe this weekend.

In the middle of making 5 gifts for Christmas....of course, I can't seem to work on them 1 at a time, so my scraproom is a total disaster. Luckily, I was able to escape to my friend, Tracy's, studio yesterday to get organized & start work on Patrick's gift. I am so excited about this one....hope he likes it!

more fun movies!

If you didn't already know, I am a HUGE movie junkie. In high school, my friends & I would go to a matinee and then sneak into another movie after that...3 movies was the record :-) Add a little popcorn & Junior mints..hello heaven.
Anyway, I went to see "Australia" with Priscilla, my mother in law, a few nights ago. Great story, actually learned a lot about the country's history (awful as some of it is), and, well, then there is the gorgeous Hugh Jackman. See the movie and wait for the "washtub" scene...whoa.

Cure CF!!!

I have to share a great video that was done by Patrick's cousins, Trevor, Cooper, and Gracie. Trevor is in the 4th grade & has Cystic Fibrosis. His parents, Christie & Durval, are tireless crusaders for CF fundraising and a cure. Patrick & I have participated in walks & organized the Crop for CF for a number years. . . look for its return next Spring!!! Without further commentary....the Clifford-Salema Twisted Family video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3vMNjdLRk

a happy week...

first of all, "Twilight" was fantastic! Edward...sigh.
I had a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving. I baked rolls and made sweet potatoes while watching the Macy's parade (in my jammies); Patrick went to the annual football game in Portland with his Dad & brother. Spent some time at my Dad's house then headed over to my mother-in-law's house for dinner. All in all, a nice holiday.
I spent Sunday afternoon at my friend, Catherine's, house with our new "crafty group". We shared tasty food and had a Christmas card swap. I have to tell you, cards are definately NOT my strength. . .I feel much more comfortable working on a big 12x12 scrapbook page. But, we had a lot of fun & planned our upcoming "field trip" (aka shopping trip), future card swap & putting all of our tasty food recipes into a cookbook. Yep, we think BIG :-) I would have a picture of the group here, but I forgot my camera...what kind of scrapbooker am i?!
I am starting a "25 days of December" scrapbook, inspired by Ali Edwards www.aliedwards.typepad.com Taking photos each day to document all of the things we do to celebrate the holidays & such. Hope to actually work on this project as I go...otherwise it will end up in my basket of unfinished projects never to be seen again (yes, it is a big basket!)
Off to work on laundry and sewing Christmas cards....

Twilight!!!

My Mother-in-law & sis-in-law introduced me to these books by Stephanie Myers & I was hooked! I have been hoarding the last one b/c who knows when the next book will be out?! Cami, Priscilla & I are heading out to see the movie today. I was a bit leery of the choice of actor for Edward (he just didn't live up to what I'd pictured), but after seeing him a bit more I'm definately "Team Edward" (sorry Jacob).

*to anyone reading this who hasn't read the books....you probably think I'm totally loony*

A cold, rainy day here in Maine....perfect for an afternoon of salty popcorn & movie-going.

fun with crafty friends

I had such a great afternoon with my friends, Karen & Catherine, today. We did an little ornament project, played with homemade Christmas cards & had a yummy lunch...honestly, what more can someone ask for a relaxing afternoon! (thanks to Joe for the picture :-)
I have to say how much I appreciate having friends who "get" this obsession I have with paper/scrapbooking/crafts. It is refreshing knowing that someone else has a "scrapbook space/studio" & that their room is always a mess too!

Machias bound...or not

Patrick has an annual hunting trip to Machais, ME with his friends each November. Last year, the trip was rained out, so he was really excited about getting up there this year. I go up to help him out & spend my days working on making Christmas cards, reading books & relaxing...fun time for me. Long story short, we ended up coming home the next day....Patrick was so disappointed. So, now he is like a man possessed, getting in every hunting opportunity he can as the season ends soon. I am so not a big fan of hunting, but I respect his need to be in the woods, etc. I guess that's what marriage can do.

Cooking class

these are 2 of our latest foster puppies from Almost Home Rescue....Apollo & Ares. Thankfully, they now both have wonderful families to call thier own. Patrick was head-over-heel in love with Apollo (the brown one) and begged to keep him.

I went to a cooking class with my Mother-in-law, Priscilla, for her birthday gift, last night. Stephanie, at SeaGrass Bistro in Yarmouth, has an amazing restaurant & great classes. We drank (lots!) of wine while watching her prep & cook in kitchen. . .I learned enough in the 1st 20 minutes to make it completely worth it. The theme was "home for the holidays" to make Thanksgiving dinner fun & easy. Then, of course, we got to sit down to this YUMMY meal. As Priscilla and I walked home afterwards (yes, I live within walking distance of this great dining spot), we were determining which of these dishes would make it to Thanksgiing & which ones we'd do at dinner the night before.

Today, I have errands to run...esp picking up fabric to make new couch pilows (for a couch that hasn't arrived yet) in my sewing class tonight. Yes, I am a "last-minute" kind of gal....always have been, always will be. I'll try to fit in a bit of bulb-planting too....that ground is going to freeze any day!

Have a great day!