Feb ATC swap

My Crafty Friends Group (as I lovingly call them) has an ATC card swap tonight & my cards are above. ATC's (small works of art that you trade with other artists) are really hard for me, as I am used to working on a BIG 12x12 canvas....but I am getting more comfortable. I liked these so much that I am doing a 8x11 canvas like the ATC's to hang in scraproom.



Why did I put the text "believe" on the cards......I've picked "Believe" as my word of the year. To find out more about this whole concept, check out Ali Edwards blog here: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2008/12/one-little-wo-1.html I love the concept. I chose Believe to believe in myself, believe that our family will grow, believe in my business, believe in the power of good....it goes on and on. Kind of like a New Years resolution but not so guilt-ridden if you break :-)

catch up time...

i need to do a quick catch-up post so I can move on to all the fun, new stuff.....
*yes, that is the picture from our Christmas card...our dogs, Murphy & Oscar. Its a good thing we love them so as Oscar has cost us $250+ lately at the vet with double ear infections. Poor little bugger.
*Christmas was fun, crazy, and hectic as usual. Being the daughter of divorced parents, we end up having abou 3-4 Christmas events. Don't get me wrong, I love being with family but it gets exhausting.
*shopping road trip with my group of crafty gals....lots of fun to hang out with all of them. We're getting together tonight for potluck dinner & crafty fun.
*still working on new website for online store. This has been a HUGE lesson in computer workings and such. Its getting there, but I don't want the site advertised until it is PERFECT :-) I've been working on new kits and have 4 shows lined up to sell my goodies.
*we're moving forward in the baby department. Appointment with yet another new doctor in Boston last week that was very optimistic. We're waiting to here back on some lab work before we schedule more. The last IVF attempt put me in a funk, so I'm trying to be more guarded this time. BUT, it is a new year full of hope.
*Patrick & I are going to the Keys for vacation in Feb. So excited for some warm weather, offshore fishing & celebrating Patrick's birthday.
*I am officially now a knitter! I have always wanted to knit scarves and blankets, etc but could never get the hang of it. My very patient stepmother, Bonnie, is a knitting expert & helped me through it. I've knit a doll blanket and a scarf so far.....working on a new scarf now & have yarn to make a hat & mittens to match. Of course, this brings a whole new shopping obsession....yarn stores now make me as happy as scrapbook/fabric stores.
*and, I am doing Weight Watchers with my sister-in-law. We started last week. I won't lie, there have been some struggles already....just goes to show me that I don't always snack when I'n actually hungry. After 1st week, I'm down 2.5 lbs...yeah!

that's it for the big catch-up....have a great day!

holy cow! where has the time gone?!

I cannot believe I've neglected this poor blog for an entire month (please don't ask about the business blog...its even worse!). I completely devoted myself to Christmas and all its happenings this year, as I am now working from home and have much more flexibility with my time. I have to say I loved being able to fit in cookies, decorating, handmade gifts & cards, etc without having to worry about being at the store 24/7. A big relief for me & I am truly grateful.
I'll have to think about a recap post for later today....round it all up into 1 BIG post :-)

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....